Ryan's Birthday Update

Grandma and Grandpa came over Saturday night to watch the kids while we went to Sam's work holiday party, and they brought Ryan's birthday present. I'm not sure what he got him more excited - the kickstand or the "hornet" theme. Oh, he refuses to take the bow off, too. 

Ryan's school doesn't allow treats to be brought in for birthdays, but they do offer a Birthday Book Celebration - I send in a check and Ryan gets to pick a new book to be added to the library collection with his photo in the front. He picked this one, which is adorable (it has only two words in the whole book - "moo" and "baa").

All the December birthday kids got to spend the last half hour of the day in the library. They each received a cloth drawstring bag with a pencil, slap bracelet, bookmark, sticky hand, and a few hard candies. The kids all set to work decorating the bags and bracelets with Sharpies.

I know everyone is just SHOCKED that Ryan would draw a turtle, but he did spend a little more time on the coral and other marine environment details.

Seriously, is there anything more adorable than 6 year olds wearing gold paper crowns?

Happy 6th Birthday, Ryan!

Today is Ryan's 6th birthday! I know I say it every year, but I can't believe it's already been six years, and that's it's ONLY been six years. 

As usual, the birthday celebration started with opening presents sent by Grandma Janet. Ryan was quite excited by the MouseTrap game and immediately set to assembling the pieces. 

Jack and I had to hustle off to school and work, but Sam was volunteering as the WatchDog Dad at the school so he took Ryan - but not until after he had opened one more present, a Lego Mixel (yes, he's wearing two shirts - he said it was his birthday so he could).

As a WatchDog Dad, Sam served various roles around the school, including reading a story to Ryan's class. He also got to eat lunch with Ryan (and David). 

Ryan's school doesn't allow treats to be brought in but they still make a big deal out of birthdays. Here's Ryan's class singing (and signing) "Happy Birthday" to him.

For his birthday celebration I decided to host a small gathering at a local bowling alley. We invited four boys from Ryan's class plus our friends the Zwyers and the Jensens.

I kept the snacks easy - a few juice boxes, strawberry/grape/cheese skewers, and Annie's cracker and pretzel mix. We ordered a couple of pizzas, plus a couple pitchers of beers for the parents.

From L:R - Brayden, Gavin, Sam, David, A.J, Ryan, Jack

Of course Honu got in on the bowling action.

Not all of the boys were interested in bowling, so the arcade was a welcome distraction.

Turner was a Skeeball maniac, earning piles of prize tickets in a matter of minutes.

Gavin also raked in the prizes.

Ryan said he had a a great time and I liked how easy it was. I made pumpkin cupcakes from pumpkins we grew in our garden (no photos, unfortunately) and the children enjoyed them.

Now on to Turner and David's birthday parties this weekend!