Haydens 7th Birthday Party!

We wanted to have Haydens birthday at a park since the weather has been so nice this summer/early fall. We planned on a different park but when we got there it was so packed we couldn't find a place to park or to sit, so we left and opted for the park a block from our house. It was nice being so close, since I forgot the candles! We BBQ'd Hot Dogs and had potato salad, chips and pop with his cake for dessert.
Hayden picked a Transformers themed 7th Birthday. You'd never know by the cake in the picture. He insisted that I buy him a Costco cake that he picks out, even though usually half goes to waste because of how large they are. I tried to talk him into me making cupcakes or a pie or something, but NO he wanted the cake. So I cut him the piece he wanted, a large center cut with the baseball....he ate that big glop of frosting that was the ball and decided he was done. Everyone else just ate the chocolate mousse filling, so I think starting next year there may be a rule that I either make the cakes or we switch up the dessert.

Our traditional family photo-op in front of the cake with the birthday child. Brynley was sleeping in her stroller. Bummer!

The Baseball cake. I have two tupperware containers left of cake and this with taking a huge piece to some friends!

Hayden opening his Nintendo DS from us, Nana and Papa and Great Grandpa Handy. Because of the cost we had people contribute whatever they wanted to pitch in to off set the price. He had grown out of his Leapster, but it did get almost 4 years of good use. He LOVES it! He got the Legos Star Wars 'the complete saga' game. He also got a gift card for another game and is getting another on his actual birthday tomorrow! What a lucky little boy. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Fall = Soccer!

Fall means it's soccer season again. I'm not sure how much Hayden is enjoying it this year though, so this maybe his last year for a while. We may have to try a new sport like baseball...who knows?? Here is pictures from his first game this season. It was a sweltering HOT day in the high 90's so they were all pretty exhausted very quickly. His team won this game.

He had another game this weekend and not only was it down pouring rain and cool, but his team lost. On the positive side, Hayden scored his first goal of the season! GO KICKERS!

1st grade!!

Hayden started 1st grade this year. He's in a split 1/2nd grade class. So far he's really enjoyed it and I think it will challenge him more, which will be a good thing. His teacher last year said he had some issues with chatting too much, but she knew it was because he'd finish his work before the other students and then get bored and want to talk. Hopefully this year will be different, in many ways.

What a handsome 1st grader!!

It was a bit chilly that morning and we were walking, so as soon as I got some pictures he put on his jacket.

Kaiden (friend and neighbor) and Hayden before starting the walk.

Standing in line to go in. In a few years he won't let me take pictures at school anymore because it'll embarrass him. I better take advantage now.

Haydens New Room

Hayden informed me a few months ago that he thought his room was too babyish. (Which it really was. It still had the baby blue paint and nursery wallpaper boarder from when we moved in.) So I redid it for his 7th birthday. Hopefully we chose something that he can grow with for atleast the next 4-6 years.

Haydens room before the redo. Clutter, Toys, Blue Paint, my old sleeping bag and all.

The mess after stripping the wallpaper. This alone took me over 4 hours, to strip, sand the walls and tape off.

Here's the main accent wall that I taped off and painted. The mustard lines are 5" wide and the green are 10". Oh the fun. I'm not sure why I plan these labor intense paint project.

Oh that's right.....I love how the finished project looks. We moved all his furniture around, which helps his room be so much larger. I ended up really liking the colors together. This room took me 21 hours, working only at night while the kids were asleep, over labor day weekend.

Here's the shot from his bed looking at his closet door. We chose a vintage sports theme. He Loved it and was so glad to be in a Big boy room, before he started 1st grade.

Love, Hate relationship

Kaylyn and Oreo have this Love/Hate relationship. She loves her most of the day until she's going to bed, then she doesn't want her anywhere near her or in her room.

Oreo on the other hand, puts up with her, but isn't thrilled with her unless she's sleeping and holding still. She puts up with her really well though. I don't know many cats who would be carried around like a baby.