Fourth of July and Webelo Camp

Will ready for his first overnight alone

Sparkler fun

Notice Emma's festive blue eyeshadow!

We had a very different Fourth of July this year. Will's first Webelo camp started on the Fourth this year. As a result, both he and Allan left after lunch and our annual visitors decided to not come. That left me, Emma, Jack and Nana to celebrate our country's independence. Minus Will and Allan, I wasn't really in the celebrating mood.

So, I decided to be a slave driver instead! I put Nana to work and she and I painted (first coat) all eleven doors in the basement. There's a lot more to this story, but it is ugly and I really don't need to rehash it all. The bottom line is that the doors were painted and we didn't pay anyone to do it. I also need to add that I painted the second coat the next day after Nana returned to Ohio and then Allan put the knobs on after returning from Webelo camp. The basement is officially finished! (other than a few touch-ups that are needed).

OK, back to the story. After spending most of the day painting, we enjoyed a nice dinner on the deck and then headed to Tanglewood to watch the fireworks. We arrived just in time to watch the 20-minute show and then spent over an hour trying to get out of the park. I'm glad we went, but just like the rest of the day, it just wasn't right without Allan and Will.

A Celebration With Friends

Decked out in Buckeye gear!

Giving Nana her late birthday gifts

Jack's alien cupcakes that he helped make

The day after Jack's birthday, Nana and Bandit came to visit. This brought on a whole new set of gifts. The best birthdays are the ones that never end!

Then, on Sunday, two of Jack's friends (Gavin and William) met us at the movie theater and we all saw Toy Story 3. The kids enjoyed the movie, but I have to say it was sad at the end (for a mom) and the baby doll was just creepy.

After the movie, we went to Kernel Kustard for ice cream and cake. It was so stinkin' hot that the frosting almost melted off the cupcakes! Thankfully, there was shade and a misting hose to keep us cool.

Jack had a great time and thought it was so cool having friends there to help him celebrate.

Jack's 5th Birthday

The bed tent

Future rock star?

The Bat Cave!

Dive sticks for the new swimmer

Getting some Emma love

The day finally came. He had been asking for weeks and I had to keep giving him the "number of sleeps" until his birthday. Then, one night, before he went to bed, he announced to everyone (typical Jack fashion) that tomorrow when we all woke up it would be HIS birthday. Hooray! Of course, he was the first one up and crept into our bedroom. He woke Allan and I by saying "it's my birthday". How sweet is that? :)

Daddy had to leave early for work, so Jack had to look at his pile on the buffet ALL DAY! He was very patient though. My friend, Ms. Nicole came first thing in the morning and took pictures of Jack outside in our backyard. She got some great shots, but for some reason, Jack wasn't in the mood to smile. All of his pictures are very somber.

I made macaroni and cheese (shell kind) per his request for lunch and we played throughout the day. At one point, I wanted to go to Costco for some groceries but I got "the look" from Emma and she said, "seriously, on his BIRTHDAY?". That gave me a reality check and we got back to the business of doing-whatever-Jack-wanted-because-it-was-his-birthday.

Finally, Daddy came home and we opened presents, ate pizza and played more games. Jack got the guitar he had been wanting from Grandma. Now, he needs the lessons! Will gave him a cool Toy Story 3 Lego race car and dive sticks. Note: he can actually use the dive sticks because he just learned how to swim! Emma gave him a Toy Story 3 bed tent that is so cool she had to sleep with him under it the first night. It's a good thing those two get along so well and are small - he has a twin bed! Mom and Dad gave Jack a Bat Man cave that he had wanted since Christmas. That was a hit with all three kids. Who would have thought?!

All in all, it was a fun day and I still can't believe that my little Jack is FIVE! Time has flown. I guess that is what happens when you have fun. And Jack makes everything fun.

Happy Birthday, Jack!