Mr. Sneaky Pants Attends a Birthday Party

When I got off the phone, I told Mr. Sneaky Pants all about it.  And he started crying desperately.  That was not the response I had anticipated.  

Once he calmed down a bit, I was able to discern that he didn't want to go to the party because he didn't want to have to give Luke his own favorite toys.  I suggested that we make something special for Luke's present instead.  Mr. Sneaky Pants was also very anxious about going to the party by himself, without Sarah and without me.  We discussed how he would be able to bravely conquer the birthday party like a fierce knight.  We discussed this ad nauseum.  

The next day, Mr. Sneaky Pants was all for going to the party.  I asked him what we should make for Luke's present.  He replied, "A FLAG!"  That was not quite what I was anticipating.  A flag?  But, we went downstairs into the basement and dug around until we found some felt pieces and scraps.  Mr. Sneaky Pants designed the shapes to look like a rocket ship, and I sewed them on the felt exactly  as instructed.  He ran upstairs and found a wooden spoon for the handle, and was so excited about the flag that he had a hard time putting it in the present bag. (I promised we could make another.)  

We went upstairs to the office and decided to write a story for Luke.  You can read the text on Mr. Sneaky Pants' blog.  Interestingly enough, the flag appeared in the story, as did the rocketship design.  

We illustrated the story, and then decided it would be good to make a card for Luke also.

We got out the buttons and glue.  Mr. Sneaky Pants insisted on doing the squeezing himself.  

We put the card, the story, and the flag in the bag, along with some small writing books and colored pencils in a felt pencil roll (imperfectly sewn by me) for Luke to use to write his own stories.  

On Saturday there was much anticipation about attending the party.  Countless times I was asked how much longer it would be until the party.  Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about sending him.  His emotions are so hard to predict, and I was pretty convinced that Luke's mom didn't have a clue what she was getting into, but everything went great.  Mr. Sneaky Pants was excited to go into the house.  He gave me a big hug when I left, and did not want to leave the party when I came back to get him, and Luke's mom said he behaved perfectly.  I don't even think she was lying.