Nielsen Family: someone is EIGHT and so GREAT

After spending the day at Disneyland, Brady came home and we swam for a little bit, then opened up our gifts to him. I was so so so so excited to have him open them because the last and final one was the quilt I made him. He opened one at a time while Brady video taped it. The first gift, one of those Mega Balls for the pool that goes fast, then he opened a bunch of undies he needed, then some clothes, a hat, fishing day with the three of us, a bubble sword, he opened more shirts and THEN the quilt. His first reaction was, "ohhhhh!" then he was really bummed out when he saw that I cut up his favorite shirts. He was so sad! He started crying and ran into his room. He couldn't believe that I would cut up his favorite shirts! I wanted to cry. I had to pay my friend to help me close up the quilt because I ran out of time! That quilt had my blood, sweat and tears as I cut up his onesies. After a day, he ended up loving it and told me it was so special. One side was silk, the other side were his clothes. I personalized it all for him. He now thinks its the best present ever, which has me so happy since it took so much time.

Later to top off the best birthday ever, we went to In n Out for some hamburgers (per Jackson's request after we offered nicer places).... then drove to Dave and Busters to play games together. We had a lot of fun and can't remember not laughing. It really was a lot of fun. We played so long that we all passed out the second we came home.

We did have Jackson blow out the candles on the cake he helped me make into a guitar. He loved it! It was red velvet with cream cheese frosting. We sang to him and he made a wish.

I went to bed, knowing I still had so much to do before his big birthday party, by myself since Brady would be working late the next day. I first made his cake, decorated it, then got everything else ready while he was asleep. He had his South Pasadena friends come over and I loaded up the car. I was feeling so sick for some reason and really tired - I contributed it to just the party planning but wasn't entirely sure why I was so sick. I drove the kids all down to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point with a surfboard, a huge 8 balloon, three kids, two sponge boards, towels, cake, snacks etc etc etc. It was a lot. We got to the party and 18 kids showed up. My friend came over to do instructions on how to surf for the kids that didn't and they all went in the water for the first hour playing in the water. I went out to help but all the kids did a really good job surfing. Jackson didn't want to get out of the water to have cake and presents but finally I got them all out. We played games, did cake and presents. Jackson said it was his favorite birthday.

(My mom took all the pictures because my Photographer sister was in labor at the time, and ended up having her baby after the party at home!)

Jackson had kids surrounding him non-stop. Everyone misses him living down south and he was loving it. After we left he said he wishes he had more one-on-one time with everyone.