Happy (almost) Birthday, Noah!

**My camera battery died, so most of these are pulled from the video, which is why they look a little "off"...I could obviously use some photography/video editing tips**

**Also, there are LOTS of pictures here, mostly for grandparents, but also because I LOVE THIS CHILD. And there's a recipe hidden in there somewhere, so it might be worth your time to look through this massive pile of CUTENESS!**

We had Noah's birthday party on Tuesday night so he could take 4 friends to Pump It Up. He had a big party there last year (for "the big 5") but we're only doing "big" (read: expensive) parties for birthdays 5 & 10. He REALLY wanted to go to Pump It Up again, so we compromised with just going to open playtime and only taking 4 friends (plus Maddy & Jack), and having the pizza and cake at home beforehand. And since he wanted Justice League (Batman/Superman) for the 4th year in a row, we already had all of the leftover party supplies!

Noah explaining how Martian Manhunter can control people with his mind...
Mmmm....love that WM pizza
Raise your hands if you're greasy!!

Mom, just let me eat!
I made "The Best Chocolate Sheetcake. Ever." a few weeks ago, because I am pregnant and crave chocolate and baked goods all. the. time. Actually I made it for a belated Valentine's dinner for Jared. And then gave at least half of it away because I could. not. stop. eating. It was a big hit and when I asked Noah what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, he surprised me by asking for this one. He is NOT a sweet-eater, but this cake is THAT good. And it's basically no-fail, proven by the fact that I have made it twice and it was good both times! Do NOT make this cake if you are NOT okay with gaining a pound or six. It has...drum roll, please...3 and 3/4 sticks of butter! No wonder it's tasty!! By the way, the decorations are some year-old Superman sugar thingies, and yellow sugar-crystal Batman symbol, which Noah requested about 10 minutes before the party, so if you're not impressed, don't feel bad! Also, the bumpy things are nuts in the icing. I kind of did half-and-half in case the kids didn't like them, but they could not have cared less. They were just fighting over the year-old sugar lumps. Yuck-O.Admiring his cake...
You're never too old to have Mommy wipe the pizza off your face...
Candle-blowing attempt #1...
He couldn't quit getting tickled everytime he took a big breath...
...so I spared you the 4 or 5 breaths it took to get to the ACTUAL candle blowing out...
Finally...
SUCCESS!!
You can't go wrong with Star Wars Transformers
This picture looks JUST like my brother David! I think we have a picture of him exactly like this somewhere. I need to do some photo comparison one of these days.
And you also can't go wrong with Transformer spy gear.
He's obviously very disappointed with these Legos, as well.
...and so he stops to explain something very important...
...and then listens as his friends share their own Lego wisdom.
Ha! Of course I won't let my brother get his hands on my Transformer secret listening device tomorrow and chew through the earpiece...oh wait, that's EXACTLY what will happen...
This way to Pump It Up! Let's go!