It's a Celebration

We take birthdays seriously, and five is no exception.

A small town bowling alley provided great entertainment

without the hassle cramming a crowd into our home. 

As far as birthday party planning goes, this was the best decision we made.  Since entertaining isn't exactly our strongest suit, less anxiety, chaos, and mess allowed us the opportunity to relax and really join in the fun.  So worth it!

  

Lookin' good!

It isn't a celebration without family and friends...

This lonely and forlorn sweetheart took notice that Grandma and E were not able to party with the rest of us.  Only a loving mother and unselfish grandma would insist on missing a party to care for an ill two-year-old and clean up vomit just so I could be with my handsome boy on his big day. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless you, Mom!  We owe you big for that one!

There was great bowling fun and plenty of waiting...

(No surprise that H ended up with a cold a few days later, huh?)

...and waiting...

(Check out that follow-through!  He's a natural.)

...and waiting.

An average ball speed of approximately 1.5 miles per hour provides a significant amount of time spent waiting.  It also creates some time to capture sweet moments like this one...

J was surprised with a special birthday song while wearing a hat that he barely tolerated only because he received the "you're five now and you need to be polite" pre-party talk. 

He was rather fond of his very own personalized pin that he was able to take home though. 

Although he announced weeks earlier that he wanted a storm chasers party with a F5 tornado cake, J had a change of heart a few days prior to the celebration.  Since I hadn't had one thing prepared or planned for a tornado cake, I was happy to oblige and make the much, much, much easier football themed cake and cupcakes.  Another example of how procrastination isn't always the enemy.  If I were more of the planning type, his last minute request would have been irritating and likely disappointing, but instead, I was able to come through on his request without much fuss.  I must apologize to all of my dear friends who sent great tornado party suggestions in vain, however.  Maybe next year?

Later that evening, I asked J if he had a good time at his birthday party.

He responded, "Ya, until I puked."

Yep, it's true. 

The grand finale at the party was the birthday boy puking on the food counter at the bowling alley. 

Why share this, you ask?  Because I'm committed to keeping things real.  Lucky you.

If my camera wasn't already tucked away, I would definitely have captured a picture to share because I have no blogging boundaries either.  Unhealthy, I know.  But since I didn't, you'll just have to trust me on this one.

Despite the illness, we did have a great afternoon celebrating our little man.

I've been so blessed with five amazing years with this vibrant boy (barf and all!). 

Looking forward to many more.

Love you, J!

FIVE!