Alexander’s Birthday — Our Baby Boy Turns 14 🎂
Alexander’s birthday is today, and I cannot believe this boy is fourteen years old. How is that possible? It truly feels like just yesterday he was a baby, and now he is heading into high school, and I do not know how any of this happened so fast.
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Watch the full birthday video above — or keep reading below.
This is where it all started. That tiny little face. I look at this photo and my heart just about falls out of my chest every single time. He came into this family and fit like he had always been here, which is exactly how it works when God puts a family together the right way.
First birthday smash cake. Fully committed. Not a single regret on that face. This photo tells you everything you need to know about Alexander — he has always gone all in on everything, whether it is a cake, a song, a meal, or a football game. Full send, every time.
My curly-headed little cake pop buddy. We used to do this — just the two of us, sneaking off for a little treat. He was the best company even as a tiny person. Still is. He just takes up significantly more space at the table now.
Fourteen candles. His only wish was for his very first phone. Do you think he got his wish? 😉 I will say this — watching him blow out those candles tonight, surrounded by his people, I had a moment. The good kind. The kind where you just sit back and think, this is it. This is the whole thing right here.
Alexander’s Birthday — Who This Boy Is
Alex is our Christmas-loving, always-singing, perpetually-hungry, wonderfully loud kid who makes every single day more interesting. He stirred cookie batter in my kitchen before he could see over the counter. He has requested Christmas music in July more than once. He has been known to sing — loudly and confidently — at all hours of the day, in all rooms of the house, regardless of what anyone else is doing. And honestly? We love it. We would not have it any other way.
For his birthday this year, he chose to take a few friends to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. I think it is the first time that boy has ever actually gotten full. He came home, opened gifts with the family — including Jon, who was very invested in every single present — and then we did cake. Simple, perfect, exactly what he wanted. That is very Alex.
He is fourteen now. He is tall and he is loud and he is heading into high school and I am trying very hard not to think too much about how fast that is all going to go. For now I am just so grateful he is ours. Happy birthday, Alexander. You are so loved. 🎂
Alexander’s Birthday FAQ — Celebrating Big in a Big Family
How do you celebrate individual birthdays when you have five kids?
The birthday kid gets to pick — the meal, the activity, the kind of cake. It is their day and we treat it that way. Some kids want a big party, some want dinner out with a few friends, some want a quiet night at home with their favorites. We follow their lead. Alex picked a Chinese buffet with friends and a smash cake… I mean, a regular cake. He is fourteen now. Same energy though.
Does Alexander’s birthday involve a lot of food?
Is that even a question? Yes. Always yes. This is the Longstreth house — every occasion involves food and this one was no exception. All-you-can-eat buffet with friends for lunch, birthday cake with the family for dinner, and I believe there were also snacks in between. The boy has a gift.
What is it like watching your kids grow up so fast?
Honestly, it is the best kind of hard. You want them to grow and become who they are, and at the same time you would give anything to go back and hold that tiny baby one more time. The photos help. I look at that newborn picture and that smash cake picture and I am so grateful we captured all of it. These years go so fast. Hug your people today.
More from the Longstreth House
- Daughter Graduated College Today and My Mama Cup Is Overflowing — Hannah’s big day and a mama who could not stop smiling.
- Kira’s Adoption Story: Tiny But Mighty — the story of our extraordinary second daughter.
- Jon’s Adoption Story — Down Syndrome, Big Surgery, and the Baby Who Changed Everything — the story of how Jonathan found his way home to us.
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Alexander’s Birthday — About Stephanie Longstreth
Stephanie Longstreth is the home cook, mom, and storyteller behind StephanieCooksForACrowd.com. She cooks for a family of seven in Florida — five kids, two cats, and one husband who appreciates a good meal. Four of her children came home through adoption, and family stories are woven into everything she makes and shares. Find her crowd-friendly recipes, weekly meal plans, and real family life on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest @stephaniecooksforacrowd.