Four is Fun, and Mustard is Good
Steve told me recently that every time I mention Ezra in writing, and on the blog in particular, I refer to him as 'my sweet Ezra'. It's true. He is ridiculously sweet. He is now, and always has been a snuggle-bug, and very observant, and tender and thoughtful - an old soul, I do believe. But of course, he's more than that, too. And whenever I start to worry about the whole middle child thing, he astounds me with the other parts of his personality - namely his strong sense of individuality, and especially, with his sense of humor. I don't mention it much here, because in writing and out of context, it's hard to convey. But when I'm telling stories in person of my little ones? It most often involves a way in which Ezra has made us smile. Or laugh - more often than not, doubled over, and filling us up with happiness. And it's always laughing with Ezra, because there's no one who he amuses more than himself.
So my funny guy had his mustard party, mustard being his favorite food of all. At the same time, he also proved his entrance into the age of "fickle four," by firmly stating the day before the party, that no, in fact he did NOT like mustard anymore at all and was NOT going to have any mustard at his party. Followed the next day with a declaration of, 'where's my mustard?', as if the previous crisis had never happened at all. Same thing for the cake versus cupcake choice - except that changed hourly. Being the second child and all, this didn't ruffle our feathers, as I think we're starting to get the hang of some of this developmental stuff. By Adelaide, we'll totally have it down (you know I'm kidding, right?).
With six different mustards, and all the dippables (thank you for all of your fabulous ideas - we put many of them to use!!), we needed some uber sweetness for balance. Ezra came through with his final request for "chocolate pupcakes with buberry frosting". This recipe, with a traditional cream cheese frosting, with a bit of blueberry juice added in. Um, yum. And thankfully, my poor math skills worked in my favor when I tripled instead of doubled the batch. Yeah, oops. That's going to be a real tough problem to take care of today, now isn't it?
Happy Birthday, my sweet Ezra. Four is going to be so much fun with you.
Oh, happy belated birthday Ezra! Sounds like you had a wonderful day. Luckily you have been born into such a wonderful, creative and loving family who honors you for who you are. Nothing but love to you in the coming year little one!
Posted by: Eren | April 10, 2007 at 08:16 AM
happy birthday to both of you!
mmm...mustard.
Posted by: jen j-m | April 10, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Looks like a heck of a party. I myself am a mustard lover. :) Hope your sweet one has a fantastic year!!
Posted by: CrystalT | April 10, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Happy belated birthday, Ezra!
Oh my, the mustard things is just way too awesome! He looks like the sweetest kid, and I imagine he had an unforgettable birthday.
My youngest is turning 5 this year, my oldest 12, I can't believe how fast the days of mustard parties, and hearing things like "mom, what's a mediogre?"...You're a mediogre, sissy!" I can't believe they're all going by so fast!
That mustard thing totally makes me smile, good on you Master Ezra!
Posted by: Daphne | April 10, 2007 at 08:40 AM
I LOVE that you had his birth picture on the table. Now THAT is sweet!
Happy birthday Ezra!!
Posted by: beth | April 10, 2007 at 08:41 AM
what a birthday party! the mustard theme rocks. and i love his haircut :)
happy birthday to him!
Posted by: brandie | April 10, 2007 at 08:43 AM
What a sweet boy. I love that you went all out with the mustard. And my brother used to call them 'pupcakes,' too, when we were kids.
Posted by: kayla_d | April 10, 2007 at 08:51 AM
It sounds like one of the best parties ever! Good job Mama, especially on that buberry frosting (Yum)....and Happy Birthday to Ezra!
Posted by: Susanna | April 10, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Hicky Birdy little guy. Four is a cool age. Sounds much more grown up than three. My happiest memories are my fourth year. Good times.
Sweet Ezra. What a cool Mommy you have. i hope you appreciate that fact one day.
xx
Posted by: Qalballah | April 10, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Happy Birthday Mr Cutie pie! Enjoy being four!
Posted by: Sarah | April 10, 2007 at 08:58 AM
Happy Birthday Ezra!!!
Posted by: Lisa L. | April 10, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Happy 4th - those cupcakes look fabulous! My Lily is turning four in June - I didn't realize they are the same age. She is not a condiment gal though, so no mustard parties for her.
Posted by: Viv | April 10, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Happiest of birthdays, little Ezra!
Posted by: Alicia A. | April 10, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Happy Day Ezra!
Posted by: Mama Urchin | April 10, 2007 at 09:05 AM
happy birthday sweet Ezra!!!!
a big big hug for you...
Posted by: Verrito | April 10, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Happy birthday Ezra!
Posted by: Katherine | April 10, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Happy Birthday, sweet boy!
Posted by: beki | April 10, 2007 at 09:22 AM
happy birthday to mother and babe...love the birth photo. i also love the sweet energy you put into making things special for your little one's, what a treasure.
Posted by: heather | April 10, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Happy birthday to Ezra - enjoy your mustard!
Posted by: Sarah | April 10, 2007 at 09:44 AM
happy birthday ezra! i wish i could have dipped some mustard with you, i mean why else do we have pretzels??
Posted by: hannah | April 10, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Happy birthday to Ezra! love the mustard.
Posted by: julie | April 10, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Happy Birthday Ezra! And, I nominated you for a Thinking Blogger Award. Check out my blog for details...
Posted by: Katie | April 10, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Happy Birthday, Ezra! I'm loving the mustard party idea. Good stuff!
Posted by: Sonja | April 10, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I remember my jeni rae's 4th birthday like it was yesterday (she's now 21!) I made her a tangerine dress with a full-circle skirt and sewed a large "4" in silver sequins on the front. With her matching sequined hairband, she was queen, for sure.
Posted by: mizmell | April 10, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Happy Birthday, Ezra!!
Posted by: Barbara | April 10, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Happy Birthday, Mustard Man! All the best for four, Ezra.
Posted by: esmerelda | April 10, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Happy Birthday, Erza! I love that you have a pic of his birth on the table...what a sweet memory!
Posted by: birthdance | April 10, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Happy Birthday Ezra! I love your mustard themed party! awesome, hope it was tasty!
Posted by: sarah | April 10, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Happy birthday, Ezra. And many more.
Posted by: lera | April 10, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Amanda,
He's four already?? He wasn't even one yet in that picture, was he?? It seems like yesterday! Have a WONDERFUL Birthday, Ezra :) I LOVE mustard!
I need to look at those pictures...I think I have a couple I was going to give you...Maybe if we ever get that play date to work out!
Posted by: Jeremi | April 10, 2007 at 01:21 PM
happy birthday sweet boy, and mama too!
Posted by: tracy | April 10, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Happy Birthday Sweet Mustardboy!!! :)
Posted by: AnnaA | April 10, 2007 at 01:58 PM
(-: Four is a simply delicious age :-)
Happy Birthday Ezra!
And Happy Birth Day, Amanda.
Posted by: Beth TigerMoon | April 10, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Happy birthday sweet Ezra.
Posted by: Josie | April 10, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Ezra, you are really going to like being Four. It is much bigger than three, and oh so fun!
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Amy Lu | April 10, 2007 at 03:16 PM
happy birthday, sweet boy!
Posted by: meg | April 10, 2007 at 03:34 PM
happy, happy 4, ezra! the cupcakes look delicious!
Posted by: Veronica TM | April 10, 2007 at 03:42 PM
my sweet girl is 5 days older than tour sweet boy. i burst out laughing when i read the whole mustard/cupcake thing. ours changed her mind every other minute for the color of the frosting... in the end the reqest was purple and that's what we had. such amazing little people!
Posted by: Heather | April 10, 2007 at 05:20 PM
happy Birthday sweet Ezra ! 4 big hugs from all of us, that makes 20 hugs. Your party looked very yummy !!
Posted by: ilse | April 10, 2007 at 05:46 PM
Already?? Four already??
Happy Birthday sweet Ezra, it's been lovely watching you grow.
Posted by: manda | April 10, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Hehe, what a cutester. Happy birthday to him and 'yum!!' on the cupcakes!
Posted by: chosha | April 10, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Oh, it warms my heart that you listen to Ezra's needs as they are at his age and do so with such love and respect of who he is...
Happy Birthday, Ezra! Four is such a fun year for both child and parent!
Oh, by the way, what was your favorite mustard?!? Did all the party-goers like the mustard? Do tell!!:-)! I love to hear about children trying out new tastes...
Posted by: Amber | April 10, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Happy Birthday Ezra! Your cupcakes look fantastic!
and a mustard party? wow, he has sophisticated tastes doesn't he.
Posted by: Laura | April 11, 2007 at 12:59 AM
Oh, Amanda- your sweet Ezra... happy birthday, little angel!<3
Posted by: robin | April 11, 2007 at 01:52 AM
I don't have time to read all your amazing comments, but in case no one has yet alerted Ezra to The Mustard Museum, I thought he should know about it. Happy Birthday Ezra!
http://www.mustardweb.com/
Posted by: Kan | April 11, 2007 at 03:28 PM
I don't have time to read all your amazing comments, but in case no one has yet alerted Ezra to The Mustard Museum, I thought he should know about it. Happy Birthday Ezra!
http://www.mustardweb.com/
Posted by: Kan | April 11, 2007 at 03:28 PM
chocolate cupcakes with blueberry frosting sounds like the PERFECT combo! who would have though? (apparently a 4-year-old) :)
Posted by: Dacia | April 11, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Congratulations to the totally qute four year boy!
Posted by: Elena | April 11, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Congratulations to the totally qute four year boy!
Posted by: Elena | April 11, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Such a delightful post, and Happy Birthday to the mustard (or not) king! What is it with the "pupcakes?" My daughter loves pupcakes too... Your description of the day makes me feel as if I got to join in on the party and we haven't even met. Very warm and fuzzy. I find inspiration each time I visit you on the web. Thank you for that!
Posted by: Kimberly | April 12, 2007 at 12:53 AM