Monday, May 16, 2011

Cayden’s Birthday

Our oldest (and one of my two favorite children) turned 6 last week, and we had a party. I know, I know, this story is just filled with unexpected twists and turns. Since he attended a party last year at a local gymnastics facility/padded room for children, he’s wanted to have his party there as well. Here are some shots from the day, beginning with our little warrior-Batman-kid…

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They had a giant swing (what he was most looking forward to, and what Avery enjoyed the most during her time there), and his face cycled from sheer terror to pure joy and back again countless times during the few minutes he was on there.

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I had my doubts about Avery’s commitment to the swing, and figured she’d get all strapped in and then weasel out, but she stayed with it. The only problem was the “one ride per child” policy, which didn’t prevent her from asking about every 90 seconds for the rest of the day, “Can I swing again?”

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In the true spirit of the traditional birthday party, we didn’t just allow other kids to join in the fun, we even invited them!

Strapping in for lift-off…

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Sticking the landing…

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Working through the obstacle course jumper…

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Trampoline-ing…but not nearly as well as Anthony Watt, who was hurtling toward me waaaay too fast to be caught on camera…

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And enjoying the various climbing, jumping, and falling apparatuses…

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Here’s the full lineup of offenders…pretty good percentage of smiles/eye contact for such a big and focus-challenged group (someone may have once described our church staff using the same terms, but I wasn’t really paying attention)

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Then it was on to cake and presents!

This cake, like Avery’s last fall, was a home-made project for Erin and me. Batman got a little more girthy than I would have liked, but that tends to happen to men under our roof. Although muscles look much better drawn on him than they do on me, so at least there’s that…

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This was more or less a life-sized dragon. We’re considering giving it Avery’s room since it won’t fit anywhere else. But it breathes fire, so that’s cool.

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Erin and Misty…

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After the “kid party,” we headed back home for the “family party,” as apparently grandparents, aunts, and uncles are less than impressed with bouncy houses and giant swings. In fairness, they don’t let adults on the cool stuff there anyway, as Nathan recounted for me through tears in the waiting area after he learned that the hard way. So anyway, here’s a little of what happened back at the Casa de la West!

Since opening them, he’s taken these Star Wars shoes off when he sleeps. That’s about it. And come to think of it, I can’t confirm that for sure either…

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Uncle Brian enlightening young Cayden (complete with bat-cape)…

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Avery, Lorrie, and Rapunzel…

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Dustin and D’Lynn with the little monsters…

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And a Happy Birthday sign-off from the little ham…

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2 comments:

Brandon and April said...

Salem checked the blog with me today and as soon as we scrolled down to the first picture he said, "CAAYYYYDEEENNN!!!!!" In perfect Salem-ese. Tell Cayden he has most certainly not been forgotten!! :)
And now I may not get anything done the rest of the day because Salem is asking to see Cayden's picture approximately every 7 seconds.
LOVE YOU GUYS! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAYDEN!!

Summer said...

Looks like he had a great time! Can't believe he's already six!!!Kendall says she wants to ride in that swing too...maybe next year?!?! :)