This past Saturday, we celebrated Jasper and Shelby's combo birthday party. Today, Jasper officially turned 5. I couldn't very well drop him off at preschool this morning and act like it was any other day, so instead I totally faked him out. I pulled up to the preschool, took Shelby in the classroom (they are in the same class) and then I surprised him by telling him that he was NOT going to school today and was instead going to hang out with me alllll day long!
Pop's Donuts, a cute little shop right on the corner down the street from his preschool, has caught his eye more than once on our morning commutes. Naturally, that had to be our first stop. Get used to this goofy fake smile, because that's about all he knows how to do right now when a camera is pointed at him, haha.
He chose a chocolate-glazed donut with Halloween sprinkles, and we parked ourselves at the counter next to the window to watch the morning commuters go by.
Best breakfast treat ever.
The nice lady behind the counter came over to us when Jasper was almost finished and surprised us with two monster donuts to take home for free! Jasper is incredibly social and had already told her ALL about it being his birthday and about how he had a sister who was having a birthday soon, but that she had to go to preschool today. So she gave us a pink donut especially for Shelby. How sweet!! We will totally be going back to this place!
Next, because it was still early in the morning and very few places were open, we headed to Walmart, which is always open! I told Jasper that because he just had his birthday party and already got so many nice new things that we were only going to look and play, but that he could look at anything he wanted for as long as he wanted. He was good with that!
I think he pushed every button on the fun Halloween decor.
And we legit looked at every. single. toy. in the toy section.
"Hey, mommy! Take my picture with the Baby Shark!"
He made sure his hula hoop skills were still finely tuned.
Since he received his new Aventon bike at his party, he wanted me to measure him to make sure we had definitely bought the right size. (We did.) And, we did not forget to inform him about the new york bicycle laws to improve his safety and prevent accidents.
I broke my own rule when I said he wasn't getting anything new and let him pick out a cheap $1.25 Thomas blind bag. He got a James mini!
We pass by the mall every day on our commute to preschool and he's been begging to go (since we never really go in there), so that was our next stop.
We spent a couple of hours inside window shopping and letting him look at toy displays. In the Disney Store, it was *me* who had to stick to my guns about not buying new things, because I wanted... everything.
He always wants to ride these dumb things even though he doesn't really actually like them, ha.
There's a small indoor playground that killed a good 20 minutes. It's probably a petri dish but, hey, so is his preschool, so...
Lord of the escalator.
Finally he announced that his legs were getting tired, so we popped over to the food court and I let him pick where he wanted to eat lunch. Of course, his choice was Chick-Fil-A.
The grand finale was his first trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Since we had already eaten lunch, we were focusing on playtime! I bought an all-you-can-play pass for 30 minutes (can be recharged if you want more time) and let him have at it.
Of course he starts with the baby rides. That's my Jasper!
But then we got into the more fun stuff.
This mini football game was one of his favorites. "Hey, mommy! I'm old enough to do this one!"
This snow skiing game was pretty cool, too. He had to twist his feet and hips back and forth to control the man on the screen.
The rhythm games were fun!
The ultimate classic... and he was pretty good at it, too!
He gravitated toward the games that included hitting things, ha.
This cannon launcher game was pretty awesome.
He took this one VERY seriously.
My phone was done with taking in-focus photos, apparently, but one last selfie to end our date with an EXHAUSTED and happy five (!!) year-old. Shelby's birthday is in 3 weeks and Matt will be doing something similar with a Daddy Daughter date day! This may have to become a tradition.
Blogtober Giveaway #3!
Today I have a giveaway I'm particularly excited about! The talented artists over at the Etsy shop, Porter and Hazel, are offering one of our lucky readers their choice of a customized bracelet with choice of personalization with a value up to $40.00. You pick the bracelet style, color, and the personalization! I have one of their bracelets and I can tell you that they are absolutely amazing. The owners of the shop are incredibly sweet and easy to communicate with and they take their craft very seriously. What a great small business to support.
Also, Porter and Hazel are offering our readers a special 20% discount off of any item in their shop from October 21st until October 28th.  Use Code: BBITES20 when checking out at their store! Enter the giveaway by using the widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Philip Lawrence
I think everyone should have a birthday date with someone who cares about them!
Cassandra D
I like the idea.
Sand
I think it's great, because it's a personalized gift!
Julieh
I think it is a great idea and looks so fun!
Rose Santuci-Sofranko
Awww....I think it's sweet. He looks so happy! Thanks and God bless!
eva andrew
That is a day your son will remember...it's not the birthday parties and the gifts...it's the quality time with you.
Laura Emerson
I love it! This would make such a memorable birthday!
Stephanie Grant
I think this is a fun little birthday date, and I would definitely take my Littles on one.
Leela
It looks like a lot of fun!
kathy pease
I think it is a great idea and looks like lots of fun 🙂
Lily Kwan
I think this birthday date idea is great!
Carolyn Daley
I think you definitely made his birthday special. I love that the woman at the donut shop gave special monster treats for both Jasper and Shelby. That was very thoughtful of her. I am sure Jasper had so much fun with you playing at Walmart, the mall, and of course the arcade. You took a lot of great photos to document the special occasion.
Ed
What a great memory!
Elizabeth Miller
I love the idea of a birthday date. What a great surprise and that probably made it oh so much more special. I think trying to do parties is a hassle anymore and I see so many people posting how people do not rsvp and then have had parties and noone has shown up...it is sad. This is a much better alternative!!!
Sharon Schoepe
I love this idea. I need to do this with my littles
Tabathia B
I love the idea and it reinforces one on one time with that child especially if you have more than one child
Jessica Staley
That sounds like an awesome fun mom and son date
Sara Tarver
Looks like a great idea!
ae minx
This seems like the best date ever!
Susan Chester
I love the birthday date idea!
Audrey Stewart
Am I subscribed? I have tried several times.
Audrey Stewart
I think it's a great Birthday idea. I loved looking at all the photos.
Kayla Klontz
This looked like so much fun! So many great memories all in one day.
Kayla B
I love this! It looks like you had a lot of fun & made some new memories!
Angela T
I LOVE this idea - you’re making such wonderful memories! We have all sorts of birthday traditions as well! ?
Kristen benson
Precious!!!
Tricia Maldonado
I think that’s such a cute and special way to spend his birthday! I bet he will remember that forever. Those donuts are adorable also!! ?
Shayna
Love the bracelets!! Would love to get one for my mom!
beth casey
sounds fun
kendra mcbride
totally cool idea
Quinn Merriam
Amazing idea!
Amy Smeltzer
Great! I love arcades!!!
Michelle Tucker
I think it's great! I really think he'll remember it forever. It's the time spent, not gifts, that matter. <3
Mallory Bailey
I absolutely love this birthday date idea!
Gaye McGill
Sounds like you and Jasper had an awesome day and I think it sounds like a fantastic tradition to begin. I hope Shelby's day with her dad will go just as wonderfully!
Luc
Fun
paige chandler
I like the b day date a lot, very clever and personal.
Christine Yvonne Groce
I think it's a great idea.
Julie Wood
I think it is such a great idea!! My son loves going out with his Dad!
Melissa
omg this birthday date is so cute. it looks like he had the most fun time! 🙂
mami2jcn
It looks like your son had a great day!
monique s
I really like this idea. It is so unique and I love the look
Stephanie Liske
I think it looks super fun and cute.
cindy whipple
would love to see this bracelet
ALLI
What a totally fun day!
Melinda
Can't beat a day like that!
Brandy Graham
This is a very fun idea!
R.L. Gibson
What a fun idea!
Cathy Truman
It looks and sounds like you had an amazing time. I would like to treat my nephew to fun Birthday like that.
Antoinette M
I think this is such a wonderful fun idea! What a day! 🙂
Pamela
Enjoying the "Lord of the Escalator" photo!
Jessica
I loved that game where you rolled the balls into the holes for different points to get tickets (Well, that's how it was when I was younger) What a fun day! ?
Grandma
Not sure how that 'question mark' got in the comment. Lol
Buddy Garrett
I love it. It is a great way to spend time with your children.
Grandma
Looks like the best day ever!! Love this post and pictures.?