Mason's Seventh Birthday

Our oldest is now another year older! This year I finally followed through with his birthday party wish and the night before his real birthday, we partied-hard with a bunch of fellow little friends. Shockingly, he asked for an exploring party with an emphasis on bugs. Go figure! I had all sorts of grandiose plans for how to decorate the picnic area at the park but it was so amazingly windy that I eventually just gave up and embraced the fact that the man of the hour couldn't care less. So, the party looks didn't meet my expectations, but Mason was over the moon! We ate, made exploring vests, went on an exploring hike and beat up a cicada pinata. He was in bug heaven!

L: I made a paper vest before the party started in the safety of our wind-free craft room, but when we made them at the party itself, it was so windy that I ended up having to make all of them and they all looked like junk. One of our little friends threw his int eh trash minutes after I finished it for him. Whoops! R: Mason taking a second away from the fun to appease his photo-happy mother

Food time

Off to look for some bugs

Bugs for everyone!

Presents!

His cicada pinata. The wings came off before we even hit it but it still had candy inside so who cared?....besides me.

I love his smile

Jeffery 

Enjoying the loot!

Aiden took the cicada remains home on his head

The following morning started off early because a certain birthday boy was beyond excited! Luckily for everyone, he had some cool toys to play with while he waited for his brothers to wake up so the festivities could really start!

Mason's friend, Carly, gave him the coolest little excavator kit for his birthday and Mason  couldn't WAIT to use his tools to discover what gems were inside.

Playing with a cook foam airplane set that his friend, Trevor gave him at his party

Mason requested homemade Egg McMuffins for his birthday breakfast

After breakfast, I waited out-front with Mason while James and the other two boys brought out his first present. Mason was over the moon and I couldn't wait to get a shot of James wheeling out Mason's new mountain bike. However, just as he came into view, a lightly crazy woman from down the street walked over and started up a lengthy and odd conversation that distracted from the big moment. But Mason didn't seem to mind too much; he had a new bike!

Mason loves to bike with James on the trails around Manhattan. He can go for a long time without tiring (I think the longest he has gone is 12 miles) and stops only when he sees an interesting bug on the trail.

Getting a feel for the new bike

Mason's brothers approved of his new wheels!

For lunch, Mason requested his very favorite bean burritos from Taco bell. This boy loves beans and his birthday lunch didn't disappoint!

I promise he was happy about his lunch

After lunch we opened presents since Mason couldn't wait another minute! He got all sorts of exploring loot and he couldn't be happier!

Mason has been wanting a camel back backpack for the longest time

Since we were ready for a snack, we decided to eat Mason's cake before heading out on the town. He had requested an all ice cream tiered cake so I did my best to oblige. However, once I brought it out we soon realized that he had pictured it about ten times larger and a lot more wowy. But at least I tried, right? Besides, it is tradition for Mason to have a lame cake attempt for his birthday anyway.

After our ice cream cake, we headed off to Tuttle Creek for Mason and his brothers to ride bikes.

Happy as a clam!

Char took over Mason's old bike and is thrilled about the hand-me-down

Staying hydrated is key to all outdoor fun

Coobie skipped on the bike-rides but ran about 2 miles while he chased his brothers around.

After working up a sweat, we decided to take a dip in our favorite lake to help us cool down

Big brothers come in handy when they are buff like Mason.

This is the spot that Charlie and Coobie learned to swim in this Summer while James was gone. These boys LOVE to swim!

James kindly took my camera away from me before throwing me in the lake. Boy did it feel good!

After drying off, we headed off to Mason's favorite Sirloin Stockade to stuff ourselves with more birthday cheer. What a fun day! Saturday birthdays are the best!