Happy Birthday Gman

Happy Birthday Garrett. You turn seven today—can't believe you've been our son for almost 1-1/2 years. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect child and thank your birth mother for giving you life and allowing us to become a family.

We had a great day yesterday, celebrating his birthday. I have a gazillion photos, so get ready to be bombarded. Before I start the picture show, I have a few people to thank. Starting with my best friend Suzanne P. This year's theme was everyone's favorite underwater critter—and Suzanne's mother captured his true likeness.Her 11-year old son, Jack, and his friend Alexis rocked. They planned, set up and ran the games—and did a great job keeping those wiggly boys in line. My other friend Suzanne was an amazing cheerleader (this woman has such enthusiasm and zest for life—I truly love her spirit) and did a mean elephant walk. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now let the games begin. Starting with the water balloon toss, which I totally missed because the kids threw them all at once. Then there were the relay races.










Next came the remote car races:






Then, of course, it wouldn't be a party without the bean bag toss.





The adults needed a break and the kids needed to get wet.




Bob grilled what seemed like hundreds of hot dogs, brats and burgers. (Thanks honey for being the Grill Master.) Garrett flanked by two of his best buddies, Isaac and Elijah.
More school buddies, from left Devin, Javon and Marissa. Of course a party wouldn't be a party without a cake. It was windy enough that it took quite some time to get all seven candles lit. In the end, Garrett only had one or two to blow out.





Last, but certainly not least, was unwrapping the presents. OMG this sensory seeking kid was on overload. He's never seen nor received so many presents. It was like he was on crack. At one point, he screamed out, "It's all MINE!!!!!!" It was scary, to say the least.









I'll end it with my little mom mistake. Last year, I bought cheap balloons, which I couldn't blow up if my life depended on it. This year I went with the best: 20 balloons for $7.98. The packaging said they were easy to blow up. (And that's all it said.) I was sold. An hour before the party, after "easily" blowing up multiple balloons, Suzanne B. brought this to my attention: Thank goodness most of the kids couldn't read it. Isaac's mom put it best, "Garrett is graduating from six to seven." It's all in the spin, baby, all in the spin.