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If you know our Job, you’ve probably been hugged by him. He is the sweetest kid, and Jonny and I and the rest of the family all adore him. We celebrated his fourth birthday over the weekend with friends, gifts, a bonfire, and a very wonky cake (I wasn’t awarded star baker.) He wanted decorations, so I finished up a knitted fall leaf garland and we folded window stars (using this paper and instructions from this book).
I started knitting Job’s birthday sweater back in September, and it was hardly a surprise, but when he opened it he was so thrilled, like it was the best surprise ever. He showed equal enthusiasm for the orange playsilk I gave him. I dyed it months ago and have been saving it for his birthday because orange is his favorite color. The other kids were a little frustrated with his gift unwrapping pace, because rather than tear through everything in a hurry, he was so happy with each and every one that he wanted to sit with it for a little while before moving on. Precious, precious Job.
Beyond the handmade, I had a hard time deciding on birthday gifts for Job this year, because he didn’t have any major requests beyond a new pop gun. When I saw this car carrier on sale, I decided that it was just the thing, and I was right. He loves it and it seems to be the sort of quality toy that will last for many years.
And now, Beatrix just informed me that she requires a birthday dress this year. Her birthday is a little over a week away, and we are still in the midst of our plumbing crisis (plumber will be here on Friday…) Can I do it? I’m going to try.
Alicia P. says
What a darling — happy birthday, Job! And that sweater is BRILLIANT!
Elizabeth says
lovely lovely pictures and celebration! God bless you! Hope the dress works out!
Marion says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOB. Wishing you a year of fun and blessings. The sweater is gorgeous. I love the color.
Love seeing photos of your beautiful family.
God Bless
Marion and family
Sandra Davidson says
Happy Birthday Job from Canada, you look so handsome in your lovely new sweater. May you have many blessings this year.??
karen says
I cannot believe he is 4 (I say that with every birthday post you post…). He looks like Bea to me. I love the sweater and that color is saturated with orange-y goodness!
Clémence says
Beautiful pics and so much joy on his little face, it’s adorable ! I have to say I quite love your cake!! Looks delicious, what was in it?
Richard (in Charlotte, NC) says
Happy Birthday wishes to Job! What a handsome young man he is and his sweater is a work of art as well. May he have many, many more birthdays to come.
Gabriela says
What a beautiful sweater for your happy Job! Happy Birthday!
Catie says
Ive been watching you make that sweater. Fits him beautifully
Ruby says
How is he 4 already? Happy Birthday! I think I started reading your blog shortly after you announced his pregnancy with a trip to a yarn shop to buy some beautiful yellow yarn (I think that was Job?). One of my best life decisions for sure, choosing to subscribe to your lovely blog. xx
Rachel Wolf says
What a gorgeous sweater and huggable boy! Happy birth-day to you both. (And: could he possibly look any more like Johnny?!) xo R
Katherine says
Happy birthday Job!
The orange yarn is stunning (as is the sweater!)
I’d love to know more about how you make your birthday crowns. I’d like to make some for my little guys.
Bee says
Happy belated birthday to Job! He does look like he was having the best time in these pictures. I love it :).
I also love the knitted garland, Beatrix reading to the (not-so)-little boys, and that sweater. Wow! Great color, and it just looks so good on him!
Have a good rest of your week, and good luck with the plumbing AND birthday dress! 😉 <3
Kelly says
Lovely as always! My boys, too, were slow to open gifts {and, truth be told, still are!}. They delighted in every single thing: from the wrapping, to the packaging, to the gift itself. They’d want to open each gift and explore it fully before moving on. More gifts are oftentimes just that: more, not adding value. For years we’ve tried to focus on one really important gift to each child, and save the time and money of additional gifts for deposits into savings accounts and time spent together. Thank you for sharing these lovely vignettes with us <3
Jan says
I love the sweater so much and love the photo of him looking down at it. He’s such a happy 4 year old!
Ramona says
Happy birthday, dear Job! You are truly a great little fellow!
I can’t hardly wait to see Beatrix’s new birthday dress, I remember this one year when you wrote here she went choosing the fabric for the dress with you and she specifically chose something “seasonal”, if I remember well, some little birds printed on some pastel fabric :))
nicole says
Happy Birthday Job!! It looks like it was the perfect day for him 🙂
And yay for the car transporter! I bet he and his siblings will be playing with it for years to come!
Judith Hogan says
Job’s birthday sweater is beautifully made and looks so well on him. Orange is definitely his colour. Wonder what colour you will pick for Beatrix’s birthday dress? Wishing you lucking getting it finished.
Sandra says
Oh, what a handsome sweater for that precious little boy. Four???? he was just a baby a bit ago!! : )
Bianca says
I don’t know how you do it!! I barely can get a skein of yarn dyed or a bit of knitting in one week! The sweater is beautiful. The color is wonderful. Did you dye it? I love the pattern. Does it come in an adult size or a very large child’s size?? I would live in it!!
Jill Ruskamp says
I CANNOT imagine how you can knit that fast and with all those beautiful children needing you at the same time. His expressions are just so precious!
Maria says
Happy Birthday, Job! What a happy look when he is holding his beautiful sweater, and he looks so handsome and grown-up wearing it!
Emily DeArdo says
Oh, Job is so sweet! And that sweater is beautiful, Ginny!
Good luck with the birthday dress request! Nothing like asking for handmade clothes a week before the birthday to apply some pressure. 😛
Susan M says
The sweater looks amazing!!! What a great pattern.
Eileen says
Oh Job, Happy Happy Birthday! 4 years old, now that is getting so BIG.
Ginny the sweater looks wonderful on Job, great finished! I always enjoy looking up the gifts you buy for your children, I have bought several of them for my Little B and love them. You have great taste with toys that add value as well as fun for children…thanks!