Happy 6th Birthday to Cole!

Cole turned 6 years old on October 12th.  We had his big bash two days before his birthday.  For his party theme, he wanted one of his favorite cartoon characters...Daniel Tiger!  Who would have guessed that there are no Daniel Tiger party decorations available anywhere!  Believe me, I searched.  So I had to get a bit creative and make my own.  Luckily I found several images and ideas online to make his party extra special.

Cole's party invitation

Cole was so excited that it was finally his turn for a party (his siblings birthdays are both in August.)  He had been asking for MANY weeks leading up to his big day, "When's my party?"  When his decorations went up, he was one happy Daniel Tiger fan!

A Daniel Tiger birthday party could not be complete without a Daniel Tiger cake!  I had found a photo of one on Pinterest that I attempted to replicate.  It wasn't as awesome as the Pinterest cake, but for a novice baker like myself, it turned out pretty good.  It took six batches of cake to make, and boy, was it heavy!  

Finally it was time for the party to start!  Cole was so excited!  It was a beautiful fall day, so shortly after the guests arrived, everyone went outside to play.

Soon it was lunch time.  Cole had all his favorites - black olive pizza, blueberries, tortilla chips and Chipotle guacamole.

Next on the agenda - the piñata!  We've done a piñata at every birthday party since Owen was two, that is, until Owen and Rose's last party (oops!)  It was there and ready to go, but with all the commotion we forgot the piñata!  So there it sat on the shelf for 7 more weeks until Cole's party.  And this time I was NOT going to forget!!  All the kids took their turn pulling the string to see if theirs would be the one that opened the trap door, releasing all the treats.  After each kid had a couple turns, Shane suggested to Cole to "try this one" and out came the goods!

The kids snatched up the candy, filling their goodie bags.  Then we all gathered around to watch Cole open his gifts.  He had a blast ripping open gift after gift.

Next it was time for cake!  We all sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy and then dug into the yummy chocolate cake.

Cole loved his birthday party!  But that wasn't the end of celebration.  That evening Cole got to pick where he wanted to eat.  And he picked his favorite restaurant - Red Robin.  Two days later on his actual birthday, they celebrated his big day at school.  When I picked him up from school, he couldn't wait to show me his special birthday crown.

To our dear Cole...

How are you already 6 years old??  It seems like it was just yesterday when you came into this world.  You were so tiny.

Just born!

Alas, you are no longer a baby, but a big boy!  You love doing everything yourself.  I hear countless times throughout the day, "No, I'll do it!"  From turning on the TV to getting your own snack, you definitely want to be in control!

You have the best sense of humor and are always joking around.  You love responding to questions with funny answers followed by a big laugh.  You think you're as funny as we do!  You are such a silly boy.  When Mom tries taking your photo, you make sure to put on your goofiest face - which usually means your tongue is sticking out!  You love being goofy and making people laugh. Speaking of laughing, you have THE best laugh - joyful, deep and boisterous - it is truly contagious!

While you are often quite jolly, you sure have your fits of stubbornness.  Like most six year olds, you like getting your own way.

"No, Mom. I will NOT pose for a photo!!"

You LOVE music.  You always have!  Not only do you enjoy listening to music, but you love dancing and singing.  When you don't know the words to a song, you ask me to sing.  And when you do know the words, you tell me to stop singing so that you can!  At home you will often ask me to dance with you which includes a lot of whirling you around and around.  You can not get enough!  But I am usually too dizzy to keep up with you and your dance moves!

Dancing at the Children's Museum

You have an obsession with driving!  It doesn't even matter if it's a car that'll move or just a steering wheel attached to a play set.  You can spot a wheel from a mile away!

Your favorite TV shows are Curious George and Daniel Tiger.  You would watch them all day long if I let you.  And lucky for you, Netflix has an ample amount of both shows available whenever you need a George or Daniel fix.  You have a love/hate relationship with the Xbox.  While you love playing tennis, baseball and track & field, you hate it when the Xbox doesn't do what you want it to do.  It can be quite frustrating!!

Playing tennis on the Xbox with Popi Jerry

Your absolute favorite foods are chicken nuggets and fries.  You would eat them 3 times day if it was up to you.  Whenever it's your turn to pick a restaurant, we can all be sure your choice will be Red Robin.  You love going to Red Robin where you can drive the car arcade game and then order your usual - apple juice, a turkey burger with a gluten free bun and french fries.  You also have a sweet tooth.  You love fruit snacks, suckers and especially chocolate (just like your Mom!)

"Ummm...chocolate frosting!"

You are a morning bird, just like your Pa.  It's not unusual for you to be wide awake at 5:00 am (sometimes even earlier!)  But that also means you are quite often the first one to bed.  When you're tired, you let us know by saying, "Come on!  Let's go to bed."  You are the only kid in the household who doesn't fight bedtime.  When you are tired or bored, your thumb is still your best bud.  You've sucked your thumb for as long as I can remember - with one thumb in your mouth and the other hand tugging at your sleeve.  No matter what we try, we can not break you of your thumb sucking habit.

You are a great little brother!  You love playing games and running around the house with Owen.  You do your best to please your older brother.  If Owen asks you to do something, you usually comply.  And when big brother is mad at you, you are quickly in tears.  You are a very sensitive boy, especially when it comes to Owen.

This year you went from being the youngest in the family to being a big brother!  It was a bit of an adjustment for you.  You weren't too excited about having a little sister at first, but now you love it!  You are always giving Rose toys to play with or wrestling around with her on the floor which she loves.  She's almost always the instigator, walking over to you while you lie on the floor watching TV and then jumping on top of you so the two of you can start practicing your wrestling moves!

Cole, you are such a sweet, caring, spirited little boy!  You are constantly on the go (except when you've been sucked into the worlds of Curious George or Daniel Tiger!)  You love running, swinging, jumping...anything that gets you moving.

Happy 6th birthday Cole!  We are so blessed to call you our son.  We love you to the moon and back!  Here's to another wonderful year of watching you learn and grow.