A couple of months before Cooper's fourth birthday, I asked him what kind of party he'd like to have. And, not to my surprise, he quickly answered with, "A firefighter birthday party!!" So, the planning was off and rolling. I love birthdays and I want to make sure the my kiddos feel so special on their birthdays. Coop and I talked every now and then about a few things he'd like to have at his party and who he wanted to invite, but I made sure to have a couple of fun surprises for the big day, too.
My first thought was that we could either have the party at a fire station or have part of the party at our house, with a visit to a fire station toward the end of the party. But, after several phone calls to different fire stations throughout the city (and surrounding suburbs) and talking through my party thoughts with others, I realized that relying on everything to work out at a fire station was probably a lot to ask for. There was no guarantee that the firefighters would even be at the station when it was time for us to come by. So...off to plan B.
I'd heard about a firefighter who brings a retired fire truck to your house for parties. After a little research, I found the web site, talked with the man, and booked the date for our party. We were officially going to have a firetruck come to the house. Coop was going to be ecstatic!
Party Details
I had a table set up in the front yard where the kids could paint a wooden fire truck. It was a hit and a great activity for those who didn't want to climb on the fire truck.
Annie, Cooper, and I made flames that we hung in the windows and along the back yard fence (for a later activity). Coop thought it was super cool that we were actually making "fire" to have at his patty. I'm quite happy with how they turned out.
Fireman vests and hats for all the kiddos!
I didn't get any pics of the party favors, somehow, but they turned out super cute. Each kiddo got a firetruck stamped brown bag with either a firetruck cup or a fire hydrant cup, a firetruck magnet, and they got to take home the painted firetruck.
Another request Coop had was for a birthday CAKE with a fire truck on the top. I thought about making one, but well, it was just easier to order one. I ordered from one of my favorite bakeries and Coop said it was perfect!
We updated all the pictures under the kitchen table. Coop loved talking with Poppi about all the different pictures of Austin and him.
Coop knew a fire truck was coming to our house for his party. What he didn't know was that he was going to get to ride around the neighborhood in the truck. We headed outside when the truck was about five minutes away. Waiting...waiting...
Firetruck is Here!
Coop could not have jumped in that truck faster when we told him he was going for a ride!
Party Party Party
Love this picture of Coop and his best bud.
This was my happy birthday boy. This is what he wanted--to sit in that firetruck and "drive." That is where he was happiest and that was all he wanted to do during his party.
He also especially loved driving with all his friends in truck!
I feel like this is where it was starting to change... My happy birthday boy did not want to share that driver's seat. I can't blame him. Honestly, I can't. I understand where he was coming from. With each little friend (I think we had nine kiddos) who tried to get in the drivers seat, Coop grew more and more irritated. He doesn't like his buttons to be pushed in any instance and definitely not when it comes to him in full fireman mode, trying to drive
his firetruck. These pictures say a lot about his mood changing. It kind of breaks my heart to even see these...
And then, I think it was the fireman (I forgot his name) who said something to Coop about sharing the driver's seat. You can see Coop on the sidewalk in the left of this picture. He walked right up to me and started crying. Ugh. My little fireman had had it with his pushed buttons.
Spraying the Hose
After drying his tears, we moved on to spraying the firetruck hose. AWE.SOME. All the kiddos had a turn and every single one loved it. They sprayed the yards, the trees, and even some cones we set out. So much fun, and I'm kind of sad I didn't get a turn.
Safety Talk
Next up, a safety talk from the fireman. I wasn't sure how much Cooper actually listened to all the fire and safety tips that were shared, but in the days following his party, Coop started playing fire safety school. He would pretend to be the "fire teacher" and I was the fireman who came to school for the safety lesson. Everything Coop taught me was exactly what the fireman discussed at his party. I was so impressed! He was actually listening.
My sweet Austin Boo had fun, too. And as long as his wagon was nearby, he was completely entertained. I mean, who needs a huge firetruck when you have a great wooden wagon?
Fight the Fire with Water Balloons
After the firetruck left, we moved the kiddos to the backyard because the fence was on fire! They had to use water balloons to put out the flames. I think we (and by "we" I mean Philip and Allan) made 150 or 200 water balloons. More than enough, I thought the night before. But after seeing how much fun the kids had, I think we could have easily doubled that number. Philip and Allan might have lost their fingers, but hey, it would have been for Cooper. Coop didn't know about this activity and he had so much fun throwing those water balloons!
Cake Time
When it was time to blow out the candles, my little birthday boy was hot and tired and didn't want anyone to sing to him. This was kind of a "thing" this year. When we were in Atlanta the weekend of his actual birthday, he was excited and happy about his birthday, but didn't want anyone besides Philip and I to sing to him. I'm not sure why--embarrassed? overwhelmed? uncomfortable? And at school, at first he buried his head into my chest as his friends started to sing, but slowly perked up with a big smile. I was hoping by the time his party rolled around maybe he'd get past it, but nope. So, I sang quietly to him while his friends anxiously waited for a piece of the most delicious chocolate cake ever.
Firetruck Details
Opening Presents
We still aren't at a point where I feel comfortable having Cooper open gifts in front of his friends. Next year, hopefully, but this year, I couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't hide his feelings if a gift wasn't his favorite. And I hate the thought of someone feeling that their gift wasn't a big hit. So as soon as his last friend walked out the door, Coop headed straight to his gift table! 
Yes, I know the picture below is the worst ever of me, but Annie snapped it the moment Cooper hugged me, thanked me and told me "that was the best birthday party ever." I needed to hear that after the ups and downs we had and the tears we had. It meant so much, hearing how genuine and heartfelt his gratitude was. (And even now, as I write this six months later, Coop still talks about his party and even asks if he can have the exact same party again when he turns five.)
Cute Post-Party Pics
