Six

Friday, November 7, 2014 marked Ryan's sixth birthday. While the days go by slowly, the years sure do fly!  He is six!! 

Ryan was very excited for his birthday.  They countdown has been on for a month and every day leading up to Friday he asked if that day was the day the second he woke up.  Finally, it was here.  Dan had flown in in the wee hours of the morning so I did my best to sneak the boys out of the house for our 2nd annual hotcake birthday breakfast.  Once again, it was a big hit.

But, first, he had to open this gift.  He knew he was getting it because we had found the video super spy watch on clearance a few weeks ago.  I think the anticipation was very difficult for him.  But, finally the day was here.  Check it out on his wrist in the above pic.  He was so excited... and then just as crushed when the battery wore out before he could get it to school.  Poor kid. 

That evening, Ryan was the center of attention as Aunt Donna, Uncle Tim, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Tom, Tori (and Nate) and Mia joined us for dinner, cake and Flubber. There is not much better than that when you are six!

Today was another day that Ryan has been looking forward to for a very long time.  When he was about two, Tyler was invited to a Chuck E Cheese birthday party and I brought Ryan.  He's been asking for a CEC party every since... and I have successfully avoided it.  Well, he asked for it again and he's getting older so I figured I'd better cave soon.

Yup, he was pretty pleased.

I did try to book the party for the least crowded time I could think of... just as the place opened on a Sunday morning.  What I didn't consider is that it was also in the same town as the Buffalo Bills stadium and there was a home game today... oops.

The place was empty which made for a decent party.  Ryan invited 8 friends, plus 2 older brothers for Tyler so it was a decent size.  Tyler was pleased and made himself scarce most of the time.  But I think everyone had a blast.

He was quite pleased.

CEC even does cake. I literally had nothing to do. Awesome.

Ryan still has a love of characters. He ate it all right up.  He danced and fully participated in the whole event. 

He was given the royal treatment... a crown and a medal!

Cake two... or should I say four since he celebrated at school and at scouts?

Finally it was time for the ticket blaster... unfortunately they let you take someone in with you.  All his friends wanted to be chosen.  I was proud of Ryan because he recognized that there was no good choice so he picked his brother.  Phew!

But, first a quick pic.  I'm concerned that I won't remember the names of all these kids in a few years so for my own reference, here they are from left to right.... Alyssa,  Colton, Claire, Cooper, Corinne, Ryan, Tristan, Ashton and Evan.  Tyler, Nathan and Dylan were too cool to hang for this part of the party.

Ryan has been asking for a piñata for a long time... I bought him one over the summer planning to have a party, but it never happened, so...

And, at CEC, the piñata is filled with tickets and tokens... perfect!

Finally, the moment was here, the reason for the party, the ticket blaster!! After sending out the search party for Tyler, the boys were geared up and ready to go.

Aaaaaahhhhhh!

Despite my avoidance of this particular party venue, it really was a great party.  The place was fairly empty, the kids were entertained the whole time and I didn't have to do much.  Yay!

I had to throw this in there.  Ryan got a lot of great presents this year, legos, a costume, comfy clothes, a pinball machine, all sorts of good stuff.  But, Colton picked out a very special gift...

What do you think this means?  Does my boy smell?  If he didn't before, I guarantee you that he does now!!