Birthdays have always been a big deal in our family. Growing up, Mom and Dad made our birthdays feel so special. Balloons tied to our chair, banners hung, our favorite meals picked out, candy bar poster, presents on the table, and lots of happy birthday wishes.
I want to create the same feeling for Justin & our kids on their special day. As November 13 & 17 got closer, plans started to fall into place and pieces came together to make it one of the best weeks ever! We truly celebrated all week and it was so much fun.
Justin's parents sent Logan some birthday money to get a new outfit. We headed to H&M and it's like they knew it was this boy's birthday. Ha! He looooves all things Cars and Lightning McQueen. In fact, last Sunday, this was the only shirt he was willing to wear to church.
I had a vision of what I wanted Logan to wake up to on his birthday and it included balloons. Justin was out of town the day before, so we drove to the balloon store and Logan chose his colors.
Logan was even gifted an additional balloon from the store owner. Across the street, I was trying to hold Logan's hand while stuffing 9 helium balloons in the back of our tiny car - not a great combo as they kept floating upward! I knew it was time to change plans when Logan exclaimed, "So high! So high!" and I looked up to see his little balloon floating away. Hopefully the store owner didn't see her short-lived gift up in the sky..!
We stashed those balloons in the guest room for the rest of the day & I think he forgot about them! He was sooo happy when he woke up and ran into the living room. He kept saying, "Logan's birthday!" and gave all of his animals kisses and high fives.
We made his favorite breakfast, banana muffins and oatmeal.
I can't believe he's TWO!! We kept asking him how old he is and he would say, "Two old years."
We had a fun morning with some visits from neighbors. Marlies and Ludwig came over. Logan was a big fan of the sugar-free lollipop they brought him.
Then Norris, Lyn, and Nova came over and Logan opened his presents from them. His very own Lightning McQueen! He was soooo happy and excited.
We had the best day celebrating our special boy. Being his mom is truly the best part of my life. He's helped me to slow down and find joy in little things & teaching moments. Logan is such a good helper, loves to listen to music and play the piano, say family prayers, eat his fig and fruit bars, tell everyone "hello" and "thank you", watch the trams and trains go around Berlin, see his friends at church, and be home together with his family.
Justin had the day off from work and I could tell Logan was so happy about that. He kept repeating "Dada home. Mama home. Logan home" throughout the day.
The celebrations continued through the week and I was able to take Justin on a birthday date! I don't know the last time we had a date night in Berlin and it was so fun to be in the city together just the two of us. I found a good American restaurant by Uber Arena where his basketball games are. The plaza was covered in Christmas lights and a Christmas tree farm. It felt really cozy.
I had totally forgotten that I mentioned Justin's birthday on the reservation. We were equally surprised and excited when they brought this out! I love, love, love him.
It was the perfect little date night celebrating my #1. Justin is the BEST husband and father. He never, ever gets upset. He's the best listener and is constantly asking me how I'm doing and making me feel loved. He's hilarious and is the perfect match to my personality. Logan adores his dad and we can't get enough of him. <3
Ft. the November mustache all of Alba decided to sport this month.
The celebrations continued with a party and some of our closest friends. We had pizza, snacks, cake, a Logan/Justin Trivia Kahoot, Fibbage, and enjoyed being with the people who feel like our family. I'm sooooo grateful for each of them.
A closer look at this birthday banner of my boys.
The Aversas wanted to recreate their picture from Logan's birthday last year. They've been here for all of his birthdays! Even bringing us dinner when he was a few days old. <3 They're the best of the best. You can tell they have the light of Christ by just looking at them.
2025
2024
THEN it was finally Justin's official big day. He had a home basketball game that night so Logan and I went to work after he left on making a poster for the game. Logan was so excited and we probably traced his hand 8 times on the poster.
I had pre-recorded a video of Logan wishing Justin a happy birthday and they played it on the jumbo tron during warm ups before the game began. Logan was so excited to give Dada a high five after they played the video.
We got to have some friends there to watch and celebrate with us.
Justin had a double-double and Alba is on a 9-game win streak!! The next home game will be when Mom and Dad are here & the day before baby Bean is born. WOW!
It was truly the best week celebrating the two who mean the most to me. I'm the luckiest to be sealed to them forever.
xoxo
