Al's B-Day and Party!!!!!

Today was Alaric's b-day and it was a BIG deal from the very beginning! Alaric got breakfast in BED this year!!! We start the tradition when the kid turns three but last year we were in Galesburg on his b-day so it was more like, breakfast on floor in the guest room. Anyway, he had some difficulty waking up.

he loved getting to eat in bed!

Then he opened his gifts from me and Bri. Our friend from church, Jeanette made the most AMAZING pillow for him with his name on it. She used only transportation fabrics. He loved it!

Poor Alaric was coughing so much on his birthday. He needed a nebulizer treatment so we stuck him in front of the TV with his other b-day gift from us. He loved his new fire truck!!!

Ready for the big party!!!

Mara was ready too!

We rented a room in the community building for all the kids and parents. The kids got treat bags with lunchbox coolies with firetrucks, firetruck stickers, and firefighter snackmix in a firetruck baggie!

Alaric and his cake made just for him by Grammy! Grammy is a true artist. Can you see how it matches the napkins and plates. And the little firefighter on the cake actually has a picture of Alaric as the face. it was a masterpiece and Alaric was so proud of it!

Alaric and his BF Reagan and Reagan's brother, Mason!

Our dear neighbors, Jack and June came by for cake and Alaric couldn't wait to show them his new truck!

19 kids pictured here and numerous other babies and toddlers who weren't in the shot! What a group of future firefighters!

YUM- CAKE!!!!!!!!!

Mara couldn't get enough!

Then to get everyone calmed down, we read a story together and talked about our visit to the firestation!

The Monticello firestation is a volunteer firestation. Each birthday we do a service project or adopt an agency to support. This year, we had to support the local firefighters. They wanted to buy a new tool for their department so we decided to do a change drive for them. Kids were given an empty sandwich bag and asked to spend a few weeks collecting change for the firefighters.

Here we are walking from the Community Building to the station

The firefighters suprised us with free helmets, frisbees, bracelets, and pencils!! The kids were so excited.

Here Alaric is putting his money into a firefighter's boot! He collected more than $7 on his own and even went into his piggy bank to pull a one dollar bill. Mara collected more than $3. Together, all the kids ( and families) donated more than $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could a birthday boy be any happier?

These kids were overjoyed!

The firefighters and kids outside the station!!

We then went back to the community building, let the balloons loose and let the kids run wild.

All the Fultons love Firefighter birthday parties!

After a long nap, Alaric woke up feverish and still coughing lots. But not too sick to open gifts from Nana and Grandpa and other friends too!

Then we ordered IN Mexican and gave Alaric his favorite thing in the whole world- chips and cheese!.

We snuggled in for the night and all watched Handy Manny's Big Race together on Disney!

It was such a great day!