Birthday, Bouncing, and More Birthday

So where did we leave off . . . ah yes, Zander's birthday. Unfortunately, Brian was in Seattle doing training for work on Zander's big day, so we decided to keep it low key and instead throw him a big party this upcoming weekend. However, I could not let the day pass without a little celebration. First, I just took a brownie and stuck two candles in it, and then Charley and I sang "Happy Birthday." I love this little series of pictures because I think you can tell what Zander is thinking just by the looks on his face. We'll start with the one where he is dumbfounded at our singing . . .







Then it was time to open a couple presents that some Grammy's & Grandpa's sent. Zander was so funny because he opened the wrapping paper just like his dad . . . slow and methodical, with no ripping involved. Here is he admiring a couple new presents.


Later that afternoon, we met up with some friends at a place called "Leapin' Lizards." It is basically just a big warehouse filled with a ton of different bounce houses. My pictures didn't turn out that great because the kids were constantly in motion, but here are a couple of my favorites. Needless to say, both kids had a great time.


The next day we met up with our friends again at this great little park in our neighborhood. There were four mommies, each with two kids, so here is a picture of six of the eight kids. They are quite the cute little bunch! In the back we have Ella and Zander (who fight like cats and dogs), followed by Charley and Liam (her boyfriend,but Daddy approves), and in the front is Charlotte and Cormac (best buds). We are missing the two youngest members, Lucy and Harper.


On Friday night Brian made it home, and the very next day we had another birthday party to go to. Here are my two cool dudes on their way to the party.

Unfortunately, that is where my pictures end. The party we went to was a Spiderman themed birthday, and all was going well until someone dressed like Spiderman showed up. Zander loved him, giving him high fives and hugs, like most of the other kids. Charley, on the other hand, was absolutely TERRIFIED of him, and refused to go anywhere near him. She kept begging me to let her go hide from Spiderman upstairs, but I told her she needed to stay downstairs with the rest of the kids. She eventually decided to just avoid Spiderman all together by going outside to the bounce house in the yard. She was out there playing by herself, when Spiderman and all the other kids decided to go bounce too. Charley did not see Spiderman coming until he was already in the bounce house, and when she realized that he was in there with her, she completely FREAKED OUT. She came barreling out of the bounce house, frantically screaming at the top of her lungs with tears streaming down her bright red face. I don't think I've ever seen her run so fast! And poor Charley, all the adults couldn't help but stand there, laughing their heads off because she was so funny and cute. I really wish I had a picture of the whole thing. She came sobbing into my arms, where she stayed for quite a long time. In fact, she fell asleep that way, and a short time later I woke her up because they were busting out the pinata. She woke up with a jolt, and immediately buried her face back in my neck, hiding from Spiderman. I assured her that he was gone, but it took her awhile to believe me. She kept peeking around corners cautiously just to make sure he wasn't around. Poor Charley, she's probably going to be scarred for life.

Yesterday we went to a pool party with Matt and Heather and another Columbia Falls/Montana military family that also lives out here (what a small world, huh?). We had a good time, but it was sort of a going away party for the other family, who has to move to Alabama in a couple weeks. It's always hard to see friends go.

On a different note, I'm happy to report that my Mom is going to be able to come visit after all. She is arriving Wednesday, and the plan is to have her here for a whole month, so we are all very excited. The more the merrier!