At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, birthday, FASD, Friendship, gratitude, love, ParentingTags:, , , , , ,

Our little guy is 10!

10, double digits, how is this possible?! It was just yesterday that he was learning to walk, we had just started potty training and I was counting with one hand the number of words he could say.

T had his first-ever birthday party on Saturday at Skyzone Trampoline Park.

I’ve often felt guilty that we never got to do a proper party for T. The pandemic then my sister and mom’s deaths at the start of the last two years made it hard to plan one.

This year, the hubby and I were determined to make it happen.

We were nervous no one was going to come, as we’ve read heartbreaking stories of neurodiverse kids being devastated during birthdays.

So we let T know to hope for the best and to be ok if it was just the three of us celebrating.

Things worked out amazingly!

T celebrated with 18 kids from school, daycare and his foster brother. With parents, his foster parents, grandparents and us, there were nearly 40 people celebrating T’s big day. 💕

Saturday started off with swim lessons.

His grandad joined us and it was nice for him to see, for the first time, T in action. We learned that T was moving up to Level 7 in the Spring. 💕

SkyZone ended up as the perfect venue. 1 hour of play at Noon then pizza, nuggets and cake at 1. Then everyone had to GTFO.

I loved seeing the kids sitting, eating and chattering amongst each other. It was nice to meet them and their parents.

Prior to the party, we spoke with T about being a good host and to spend time with each guest.

My heart filled with gratitude as I watched T smile bashfully and with appreciation, as the room sang Happy Birthday.

He stood between the hubby and I and held our hands as I said a few words of thanks. Then I asked T if he wanted to say anything.

“Thanks for coming to my party and celebrating with me,” he said.

T wanted a Sprunki themed cake; it’s what’s in with the kids these days.

After everyone left, one of his friends and his dad stayed behind for another hour and a half.

This Grade 4 student was new to the school and a kid that gets along very well with T.

Speaking with his dad, I learned the kid has ADHD and dyslexia and his older brother is autistic. The classmate is on an IEP and medication.

I openly shared T’s diagnosis and our journey and as I watched our kids play together, I felt that they were brought together for a reason.

T received a lot of presents, even though we asked parents not to bring presents.

As I watched T open them at home, I thought to myself that every child deserves at least one amazing party in their childhood.

So we soaked up the moment and the excess and smiled with gratitude.

I spent last week looking at old photos and so many fun memories and adventures from the last nine years. Each stage had moments I wish I could bottle up forever and tough lessons that made me a better person.

Parenting is not easy. Layer a complex diagnosis such as FASD on top and some days can be very challenging.

I am thankful for our son and every moment spent with him. He’s made our lives richer and meaningful. I look forward to the memories and milestones in the decade ahead! Puberty, stinky armpits and feet, birds and the bees, adulthood. 🫣

Happy 10th birthday, T! We love you so so much. 💕

50 thoughts on “At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party”

  3. There’s a neighborhood bar near my daughter’s friends house.
    It’s called GFY , we passed it one day when I was in the car with my daughter, Daughter and her friend. I said you know what that stand stands for don’t you? They both looked at me, totally astonished.! Gotta love those acronyms!!! 😂

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  6. Ab, I am grinning ear to ear reading this! I am so happy you soaked up every moment—the moments that make life so worth living. Happy belated birthday! PS: I especially love the photo of T shooting that basket. Are his feet off the ground? So Cool. HIS IS a cool kid, isn’t he? Maybe a future pro basketball player instead of a doctor?

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    1. Thanks Stacy. It’s nice to see a comment from you. Hope you are doing ok.

      These moments are indeed what makes life worth living. He loves soccer a lot and basketball too. We’ll see what the future holds for him. 🙏

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  8. So much joy in one post! Happy Birthday to T and well done, papas – well done! I chuckled when I read the agenda…rounded out by “GTFO”. What a day, what a day. Thanks for inviting us along! 🥰💕🥰

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    1. Thanks Vicki. It was a joyous day. I did get quite sick a few days later and still am on the mend. Those kids and their germ factories are probably where it came from. Well worth it for the happy memories! 💕😊

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  9. Happy Birthday T! It’s crazy to hear how he’s already 10! Where does the time go!? Glad to hear that his first real birthday party was a smashing success and that T was a fabulous host! That’s quite the turnout. I’ll have to keep the Skyzone in mind for when baby M is older. Seems fun and a great way for all those kids to burn some energy.

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    1. Thanks Linda. It was a nice place for a party and so grateful for the moment to celebrate. You’ve been following along since he was half this age. Time does fly! 😊 I just got quite a few days after and am still on the mend. But so worth it if I indeed got sick from the kids!

      Skyzone is a wonderful venue and I bet M and her friends will love it too!

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  10. I am so glad, you did this and it sounds like it turned out even better than you could have imagined! this is so wonderful for t, and for all of you as a family. this is really a milestone in so many ways, so much to be grateful for. happiest of birthdays to t, and how lucky that he was born to be in your family one day and has found his true home with both of you.

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    1. Thanks Beth. It was a wonderful milestone and I am so so thankful T got to have this special day. I did get quite sick a few days later and suspect it’s from the kids. But so worth it for the memories of T enjoying this special day. 🙏💕 We are so lucky to have him in our home.

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    1. Thanks Diane! 10 already. So fast! I bet you see it too with your grandkids. 💕 The cake was indeed beautiful. It’s the same lady who’s made his cake since he was a toddler. It’s the largest one we’ve ordered and the kids loved it!

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  12. Happy birthday, T! Oh how time flies! I’m glad T finally got his first birthday party. I still vividly remember mine, and how nice that people brought him presents because opening them will be one of the fondest memories from childhood he will carry for the rest of his life.

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    1. Thanks Bama! It just flew by. We are very thankful that he got his first ever party. You’ll have to share yours one day along with your family recipes! 😊

      I did get quite sick a few days. I think from the kids. 😂 But so worth it for the priceless memories.

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    1. Thanks Tammy! I feel like you’ve followed along since T was half this age. Time does fly. And I’m thankful for all the memories we can all look back on one day! 🙏

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      1. That’s why it’s so excited! I was just talking to my daughter about children who aren’t mine, but how I find joy in watching them grow up & some cases having a role in their growth. I enjoyed being able to follow along on T’s journey. It’s been close to 5 years 😁.

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  16. Ab, I started out smiling in happiness as I read your description of T’s birthday party, which turned to emotional tears of happiness. What an absolutely perfect birthday party! Happy birthday, T!! Yet another memorable event in T’s life, and yours.

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    1. Thanks Jane. It was a lovely day and I too get teary thinking about it. I can joke now that I got quite sick a few days later and am still on the mend. Likely from the kids but so worth it for this memorable event in our lives! 🙏

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  17. Such a heartwarming post Ab. It brought a few tears to my eyes knowing that T, you and hubby and so many friends and family were ready to celebrate T is such a special way. The whole things sounds amazing. How great also to know that T has a new special friend and you have a dad who really gets a lot of the challenges of raising a great kid 🙂 Get ready…20 is just around the corner 😉

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    1. Thanks Deb! 💕 It turned out way better than we could’ve hoped for and I’m very thankful for that. T deserved it and I’m glad he got it. Oh man, don’t scare me about the 20s. I’m just dreading the puberty and teen years.

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  19. That is awesome!! 40 people and a clear ending time – nothing better. We’ve gone to parties at SkyZone locally — what an awesome venue!

    I love that over and over you are showing T how to celebrate others, himself and life! Happy birthday to T!

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    1. Thank you Wynne. It was a wonderful day for T and us and I’m so thankful he has this memory to remember from his childhood one day.

      Skyzone is a great venue and I’m glad you have it available there too.

      I got quite sick a few days later and am still on the mend and it’s probably from those petri dish kids. 😂 But so worth it from this priceless celebration of life.

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