five years old

I can't believe my middle child is FIVE.  It's been a tremendous year of growth for our energetic, enthusiastic, impulsive, and incredibly sweet boy.      

We celebrated Superman style this year, with a few of his buddies.  This picture greeted everyone as they arrived.

The scene.

The yellow sign said "get your superman on", and the blue bucket next to it was filled with plastic capes, superman masks, and superman rings.

lollipops and superman punch balls for favors.

The table.  We had star sandwiches and superman colored fruit cups for lunch (and mini pizzas to fill in for those who weren't down with sandwiches).

"Superman punch" - Hawaiian Punch in frap bottles.

The cake - Caden said this was his favorite :).

Dave created an amazing "Superhero Training" obstacle course in our front yard.

The sandwiches.  And how perfect that my yellow dahlias were in crazy bloom this week.

The boys started with superman coloring.

And then we went outside for superhero training.

Official superhero Caden with daddy.  Each of the ten obstacles had a number sign by it - so fun.

Andrew demonstrating his superhero skills.  There was a balance beam (2x4 on 2 bricks), hula hoops, the hop ball, waking up a plank, a ball toss, slide, crawling through a tube, and over a "mountain" we created with mats and one of our benches, and lastly...

breaking through the wall.

the line up of superheroes.

A happy birthday boy, enjoying his lunch.

The lunch table.

Out back for moonbounce fun.  And how fun that our moonbounce happens to be superman colors.

Little buddies.

And then inside for cake.

And presents.

Oh, and Dave created a superman slide show on our computer (just visible in the corner of this pic) with the theme song, which played throughout the party.

We found a superman shirt on clearance at the gap just a few days before (and I had to get parking validated).  Perfect.

Look at that face.  This boy came ready to party. 

Later that evening Grandma Dee Dee, Grandpa Jerry, and Monie joined us for pizza movie night.

We now have an astronaut in our house.

Truly, a thumbs up day. 

Caden, we love you so much buddy.  You bring so much joy and excitement to our home.  We love your heart, your enthusiasm, and I loved the way you took in every part of this day with genuine gratefulness and wonder.  You, my sweet boy, are such a gift.