Out of This World

Crew always manages to convince us to have a birthday celebration with friends. It's hard to resist the level of persuasion and excitement he has about birthday parties. I didn't mind too much this year because his idea was to gather at a new local park. All it required was a sunny afternoon and some cupcakes. That's the kind of party I could host over and over.

We decided on the theme "out of this world" based on a saying from his favorite pair of pajamas. All that really meant was some foam rocket ships as party favors and space themed napkins.

I also had a giant number five balloon attached to the party table. It was never pictured because it became unattached and blew away before we could catch it. Crew was devastated about watching that golden number five fly higher and higher into the sky. I tried to divert the unfortunate situation by telling him his balloon was literally going "out of this world" just like his party! It cheered him up a little but you better believe the story of the lost balloon was told over and over again in the upcoming weeks.

Fortunately, there were lots of friends to distract him.

What I like to call "California sledding" is always the main attraction at this fun park.

Crew is blessed to have so many friends to celebrate with him. We all think he's out of this world.

Nash's Baptism Celebration

Nash had a beautiful, simple baptism service. Nash's friends, Reese and Elle, sang "He Lives and He Loves Me," one of our favorite songs.

Nash had a crowd of friends there to support him.

And of course, lots of extended family. Nash's grandma gave a wonderful talk about baptism.

We gathered back at our house afterwards for a luncheon.

You never know what you're going to get when you put all the cousins together.

Nash is such a sweet brother to Crew.

And a favorite cousin to Sterling who has a sea of girl cousins on the other side of his family.

We set up a hot chocolate bar outside.

I think the only hiccup in the day was when Crew and Finn giggled uncontrollably when Nash was immersed in the baptism water. I guess they haven't been to very many baptisms and didn't know what to expect. We'll work on the reverence for the next baptism. Nash had a memorable day and felt so loved by all those who traveled near and far to support him.

Crew's Pirate Pool Party

There was one week between spring break and Easter and Crew's birthday fell within that week. It was basically a nonstop party. Crew had his heart set on having a pirate pool party months before his big day. He was a pirate for Halloween and his love for all things pirate did not fade by April.

Blake had a pirate party when he turned six so it was a theme we were familiar with. Add in the pool factor and hosting it was a breeze. 

Crew talked to anyone and everyone for weeks about his upcoming pirate pool party. On the morning of his birthday, as we were making the final preparations for the party, he all of sudden realized, "Wait a minute, we don't have a pool!" I love that our lack of pool never dawned on him before that moment. Thankfully we saved the day and hopped on over to one of the 13 pools in our town, which happened to be deserted.

I'm all about simplifying the food for parties so we picked up pizza and added a few snacks and called it good. 

Crew preferred brownies over cake and I was just fine with that.

I made a few games that could be played throughout the party in an unorganized manner. I knew swimming would be the main event.

Our neighbors brought Crew an inflatable shark as his birthday present and it was the perfect gift.

Lots of pirate sword fights went on in the pool.

It was tricky to keep Crew's candles lit.

But he blew them out anyway.

Crew couldn't have been happier surrounded by friends, water and especially that shark. 

His birthday party certainly lived up to the hype.