Six Dream Weavers: bowling

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What a busy day for a birthday!

This past weekend, Jake the Snake turned 7. I joked with him for a week before the day actually came, that I was looking forward to him being 7, because then maybe I wouldn't get QUITE so many stares when I said he was 6. He's 4'8 (an inch shorter than his sisters that are 5 years older), and weighs 85 pounds. He is a GIANT of a boy! And he is just so sweet and fun! He loves pizza with ranch, baseball, basketball and football, video games, and sleeping in. He loves to read and really likes school, too. He always prays for our dinner for us, and still hates to take a shower! He is just a WONDERFUL son, and such a great big brother to Finn. He drives Emma and Lara crazy, but then again that's his job!

This past Saturday was his actual birthday, and it was a super busy day! We started with a very early Upward basketball game. But, FIRST! We had him open his present from the family. Skylanders Giants for Wii U. He got to play for about 15 minutes before it was time to go to the game. They played a hard game, and he got the star best offense.

pre-game

defense

offense - under the basket where he needs to be!

Mom and Finn in the stands!

Then, it was lunch, more video games, a little shopping to spend some birthday money (more Giants for his collection), then PARTY TIME! We had a bowing party again. This year's party was a little more low key than last year's party, but it was so fun! We had all the boys wear their favorite basketball jerseys! We had Upward, YMCA, Oklahoma State, and of course, OKC Thunder! We started with 3 home and 1 away Kevin Durant's. Ended up with FIVE KD's as one of Jake's gifts was a KD jersey!

The Crew
It was supposed to be an all boy party, but one sister slipped in,
and cousin Kayleigh was here from Texas!

After the party, we took the birthday boy out for his traditional birthday dinner. Only, it wasn't traditional! He chose a new place! We have always gone to Texas RoadHouse for his birthday dinner. This year, it was Rib Crib. He loved the special treatment, and especially the dessert!

I am loving being the mom of a 7 year old boy. He is so loving and understanding and compassionate. He is funny, had great timing, and tells amazing jokes. He is athletic, and loves to be outside with the neighborhood kids shooting baskets, playing football, or riding his scooter. We've had some mild days (and some horribly, bitter cold days) this winter, so it's been fun watching him take on the world! I even got an email (below) that said I am entering a rewarding phase of parenting. YIPPEE! I can't wait to see what the future holds for my GREAT Jake!

Monday, January 28, 2013

2+0+1+3 = SIX

Jake's 6th Birthday - Bowling Lanes Cake

Betcha didn’t know that, did ya? And the cool thing for my oldest son? He just had his SIXTH birthday in the year 2013! How fun! For him! And me… because I like freaky number things like that. I figured out in fourth grade that the digits in my birthdate (100874) and the digits in my mother’s birthdate (040448) both equaled 20. (I know you want to try it…) AND! Here’s where it gets really freaky! The digits in my older brother’s birthdate (021371) and the digits in my dad’s birthdate (012146) both equal 14. I KNOW, RIGHT!?!?!??! But, this isn’t about numbers. It’s about Jake – bowling strikes and turning 6!

We had a bowling party for Jake and a few of his (male only per his request – mostly) friends on Sunday afternoon at our local bowling alley. (The only females in attendance were family – his sisters, and one guest’s little sister – who was specifically requested by the birthday boy because she makes him laugh!) We had 9 kids bowling, and there was a bit of an age gap, so we had the 4/5/6 year olds on one lane, and the 8/9/10 year olds on the other. The “older” kids were way more competitive, and it was so fun to hear them talking. The little guys were just as funny, but because of their "form" and the things that made them celebrate! They all chose to bowl with bumpers, and all the adults wisely refrained from jointing the festivities. The kids bowled one game, we ate ad opened presents, and then they bowled another game. It was the perfect length of time, and a GREAT time was had by all!

Jake never could come up with a “theme” for his party this year, so we went with “bowling.” We were trying to keep this party a little lower key than the 1st birthdayparty we did for Little Brother a few months ago, and I think we did a good job of that! Jake wanted everything green. So, we have green plates with sticker dots on them to replicate bowling balls, green balloons with white dots, green napkins, and a solid brown cake with home-fashioned decorations. 6 red and white striped candles for the “pins,” stick candy for the lane markers (with “gutters” dug out with a chop stick!), and a green gumball with icing dots for the bowling ball. I think it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

Here are a few pictures of the festivities and the party goers!