This was the first year we were not with any family for the holiday. So we called the next best thing. Our friends, who have stepped in when family was needed but not near, came over to enjoy the holiday with us. We figured we would let Jameson open his presents first, so then the kids would have new toys to keep them occupied for the day while we finished cooking. His friends were more than willing to help him open his presents.

So Brittany, my friend, had the girls while she shopped for Jameson’s birthday and Christmas gifts. She got him Slink from his favorite movie, but that was supposed to be for Christmas since she had already got him his birthday gift. Well, Jameson came in while we were playing at their house that day and told us he was getting Slinky dog for his birthday. She asked Taylie if she told him that and her response was, “No! I just whispered it in his ear.” So from that day on, that’s all I heard from Jameson, ‘I’m getting slinky dog for my birthday.” I told Brittany she might need to rearrange the order of gifts. Wednesday, his birthday, he woke up and actually remember it was his birthday. About an hour later he told me, “Mom, we forgot my birthday.” I replied, “Why do you think we forgot your birthday?” Jameson, “Because I get slinky dog for my birthday. We forgot my birthday.” He was so disappointed. So that was the first thing opened on Thursday.

(The last picture is the pose I got when I asked him to look at me. Lovely, huh?)

And, How old are you now?

After presents, we finished cooking, and had our own little Thanksgiving dinner.

(Brittany and I are taking pictures, so we are missing from this one.)

Kevin got to figure out how to carve the turkey.

After our dinner settled, we got out the cakes. Wednesday was Jameson’s birthday, and Brittany’s was Friday. So, I had cakes for them both. A footprint cake for Jameson and a large cupcake for Brittany. I couldn’t find our lighter, and we don’t have matches, so Kevin and Dan went survival style and used a battery to light the candles. It worked, though.

Jameson was so proud of himself. He licked his candles and then dug into his cake. He didn’t eat his dinner, so this became it. Later he asked where his dinner went, meaning his cake.

He also got some cards and money from his great-grandmas and grandpas.

After a nap, Ella showed off her new boots from Grammy Brazell.

By 7:30 pm Jameson looked like this.

We had a great day!