Steven turns 6!

When I get busy, the blog is the first thing that is neglected.  So, there is a lot to catch up on starting with Steven's birthday.  He was excited that his party was a week before his birthday; so excited that he started telling people that his birthday was August 25.  Nope.  It's still September 2, kid.  Steven's birthday obsessed and when I recently told him a friend didn't have a party this year he was very concerned: "What happens if you don't have a party?  Do you stay the same age?"  Man, my kids are so spoiled.  I've already been preparing him for the fact that next year we're not doing a big party again.  I'm a big talker though and I love parties so I guess we'll see...

This year we had his Star Wars party at Pump It Up to accommodate his request to invite school and church friends.  

James had a blast and would not let Charlton or I go with him on the inflatables.  A nice development in our minds.  

Popo with my nephew Josh

Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Kyle, & Tommy

Steven and cousin Saige

wrestling with Uncle Patrick

With buddy Jackson

Charlton with Josh 

I think Patrick and Cheryl were trying to get a family picture here and got a few tag-alongs

Steven's cake- isn't my man the best cake decorator? Steven requested an Episode 2 cake and Charlton delivered.

Trouble on a bench right there (I'm referring to the little boys)

I love this picture- they're in a deep Star Wars discussion

With best buddy, Matthew

Steven even got a visit from Darth Vader

Steven with some school friends.  They were all playing with their party favors: pool noodle light sabers and SW masks

Being Jedi with the Rives brothers

This is the picture that their mom makes them take- not thrilled, are they?

with cousins

We all wore SW shirts of course

With Mimi and Popo

And Mammaw and Pappaw

Opening presents- I'm posting this one and sparing you dozens of pictures of him opening a ridiculous amount of LEGOS sets.  He was thrilled.  

It was super fun!  Can't believe my big boy is 6.  What an amazing, special kid he is!

James turns 2!

On to the real party!  James' birthday (the 28th) fell on a Thursday this year.  I had planned to have his party the Saturday before but had to postpone it to the Saturday after when the boys both came down with a terrible virus.  Steven had a 102 degree fever at the original start time for the party so it turned out to be a good decision even though we were disappointed it meant many of our family and friends couldn't make it.  A virus is not a good party favor.

Steven was mortified that James might not get a present on his actual birthday, so we let Steven give James the one from him: James' own classic Pooh stuffed animal.  James has been in love with Steven's and it was starting to cause problems.  

"You mean it's my very own Pooh"

my niece, Cadence

Steven and my niece, Saige

All three

My niece, Meadow

James' buddy from church, Jack

my nephew, Nick- he and James are only 10 days apart

Coloring and crafting

I asked Charlton to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar book to the kids before cutting the cake.  Surprisingly, they were all really into it...except for James.  He sat for about a minute and then ran off.

Can you spot James?  He's the one wielding the broom.

Steven and Nick were really into it.  

Singing Happy Birthday

James clapping at the end of the song

Cupcakes! Yay!

Licking off all the icing first

Unhappy that his hands are messy

Saying that Steven's going to be so jealous that James has a Star Wars beach towel

Opening a present from Mama and Papa- thank you!

This is what James likes to do his glasses now- he's such an old man.  I think this is a result of him seeing me do this with my sunglasses.

Trying to get a picture with the Brinks kids.  We carpool during the school year and go to church together so James sees them a lot.  They are some of his favorite people.

After the party and just before bedtime, I remember to get a picture with my parents.  I missed Mimi and Popo so be expecting one soon, Brenda.  =)  Thanks to both of you (grandmas) for all your help!

Happy birthday to my crazy, sweet James!  You fill our lives with so much joy!