Happy "Hobbit" Birthday Ryan!!

We celebrated Ryan's 9th birthday last week! And as you may be able to tell from the cake (or maybe not!) we had a "Lord of the Rings" birthday, in particular, a hobbit birthday. The cake was supposed to be the home of the famous hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, known as Bag End. Ryan and I had so much fun making this cake - we worked on it together one whole afternoon.

Ryan woke up that morning to a decorated room filled with streamers and balloons. Green of course, to mimick the Shire. I put a candle in his little bagel and we started the day.

We called the day off school and spent it playing Lord of the Rings Monopoly as well as a version of Lord of the Rings Pictionary that Hannah had created the night before. It really was fun. Danny made Ryan's favorite meal for dinner - steak, garlic mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Then we went into the living room to give Ryan his gifts, but that was where the Hobbit part of Ryan's birthday came in. If you aren't familiar with hobbits, they have what is known as a backwards birthday, where they give presents to everyone else on their birthday.

Ryan and I had spent time shopping secretly to give everyone else a gift. I really do believe he had more fun with this part of his birthday than any other. And the sneaky little hobbit even lined up with his Dad to get me a present as well! I was sooooo surprised and blessed...

He had a puzzle for his grandparents, a dagger for Jacob, a basketball for Matt, a game for Hannah, and some grilling equipment for his Dad. He gave me a beautiful pair of earrings... His sweet and generous nature was shining once again. He was sooooo excited about his birthday, and I think that it was really because he was excited to surprise and bless everyone else!

Here is Ryan with his giant Lego set - one of his birthday gifts from us.

We all went to a new bowling alley and played a couple games - a fun place for sure.

We came back and lit up the shire! Ryan had trick candles on his cake that wouldn't go out!! (Those of you who know Ryan know how appropriate this was for him!!)

I cannot thank the Lord enough for the amazing gift He gave to our family when He gave us Ryan...

Happy 9th Birthday, my sweet little "hobbit"!!!