Six Years Old Already!?!

I remember bringing home Juwan; he seemed so tiny as if the carseat would swallow him up! The blue pacifier was huge compared to his precious dollop of a mouth.  Samuel and Brennan appeared giants next to him, even though they were only 4 and 1 at the time.  These images are so fresh in my mind that when I look at this tall, curly headed boy I can hardly believe he is the same baby we brought home 6 years ago.  Now, he is towering over his older brother Brennan and not far behind his oldest brother Samuel.  His infectious laugh and smile can still capture the heart of anyone.  He loves basketball, tumbling, music, and running around like a gorilla with Brennan and Lige.  Sometimes if he doesn't know you are watching, one can really see him getting into the music.   Yes, our little boy is six years old already!

We had a beautiful, warm, sunny day to celebrate his birthday with family and friends.  Juwan chose a cool combination of a cake.  It was tie-dyed in the middle, white icing, covered with tons of sprinkles and balloons as the topper.  It was fun and the kids all helped with the rainbow inside.  Lola and Samuel even helped run little stations.   Lola was in charge of glittery tattoos and Samuel was in charge of straw rockets.  We ended the party with a minion piñata.  Juwan enjoyed himself even though he is still a little shy at birthday parties.  Yes, even his own.

Birthday Months

The summer and early fall months are what I consider the birthday months in our household.   You see 4 out of our 5 children have birthdays starting in July, then August, and ending in September.  So, for three months straight we are talking about cakes, games, presents, friends, food, and dates.  I love my children and I relish in the celebration of their lives, but by the end of September I am thankful that there are no more parties to plan until February when our Juwan gets to celebrate his day!  We do not go all crazy for birthdays.  Yes, we try to do some sort of fun cake.  This year Lola wanted owl cupcakes, Brennan and Samuel had s'mores cupcakes, and by the time we got to Lige (and our foster daughter) we were tired of cake so they had tractor cookies with apple crisp.   Each party we try to have some sort of theme, but we usually make some small decorations ourselves and definitely do not break the bank to accomplish this feat.  Since Lola wanted owls each table had a little thrift store owl figurine with a saying like, "Owl always love you."  Even though it was rainy we managed to do a scavenger hunt with clues.  Samuel and Brennan's party didn't have decorations, but who needs that when you have an obstacle course complete with zip line and bow and arrow practice.  Then Lige and baby still being little needed only some tractors and green pinwheels to complete their party.  It was great having lots of helpers decorate tractor cookies and make pinwheels.  The only negative to their party was that Scott was sick and couldn't participate.  Anyway,  I'm sure I could make the parties a little less work intensive, but there is something about putting the labor of love into making each party a little special.  I hope that looking back the kids and I will remember and see these parties for what they really are: an expression of love and thankfulness for each one of them!

Unfortunately, due to our lack of organization around here all I could find was a brief video from Samuel and Brennan's Birthday, a video from Lola's actual birthday, but nothing from the party, a video of the zip line used for the boys' party, and a blurry picture from Lige's birthday party.  I guess that's what happens when your either busy enjoying your child's birthday, hosting your child's party, or trying to do it all while your husband is sick and no one else seems to care about taking pictures of your child's party....  Yes, as I type this post I'm feeling frustrated!

Lige 3 years old