Owen is 5

 My baby is 5!  Where has the time gone?  Owen has been so excited about his birthday this year, and I believed that it was everything he hoped it would be.  His actual birthday was on a Thursday, and it was an all-around fabulous day for him.  I woke him up by singing "Happy Birthday", and made him pancakes for breakfast.  At school, his teachers wished him happy birthday and gave him a crown.  Once he got home, he found that he had presents from Brian, Olivia, and I (a new scooter and skylanders).  While he was playing with his toys, several family members called to sing to Owen.  He got so used to hearing the singing, that he said "not again" when Aunt Hannah called.  Either that or he realized how bad Hannah sings (just kidding, sis).  We decided to eat out in honor of Owen's big day, and we let him choose the restaurant.  He picked Captain Joe's (to everyone's delight).  After eating, we came home, sang to Owen, and let him blow a candle out of a cupcake.  This was an all-around great day.



On the Saturday following Owen's birthday, we gave him a small, family party at And Bounce.  This is where Olivia had had her 5th birthday, and Owen wanted his here, too.  All of the cousins had such a great time playing on the inflateables.  We all got so tickled at Julianna- who thought she was as big as the other kids.  She repeatedly climbed up and slid down the largest slide.

Here is Uncle Sam participating in his favorite pastime- chasing kids.

 When
I asked Owen what kind of party he wanted this year, he told me he wanted "dogs"- no dog in particular, just "dogs".  I gave my sister (and cake maker extraordinaire) the theme, and she really ran with it.  Hannah ended up designing and baking this cute little dog-with-a-birthday-hat cake.  It turned out so well and it was delicious. Brian gave it two thumbs up because it was a chocolate cake.




I love the video of Owen blowing out his candles.  You can just see the excitement on his face.

After cake and ice cream, it was time to open gifts.  Owen got so many nice things.  He got lots of clothes- which he desperately needed and many toys as well.  Both of my kids are really into the "Skylander" toys right now, so Owen was excited to get a skylanders lego set (which he and Olivia have already assembled).  It was definitely a great birthday.