Jackson's birthday, version 6.0

We had a little birthday party Saturday afternoon with a few of our close friends and immediate family. Jack had all of his grandmas and grandpas there, and all four of his great-grandparents there!

We'd been going through "Paul withdrawal."

Paul & Patti's niece, Macie, and Jackson have been friends since birth. I still remember her coming to the hospital — at just over one year old — to see us when he was born.

"Uncle" Jason.

We love having our family here and really appreciate that they made the effort to come for Jack's special day.



Time for the gift opening.

The first present that Jack opened, from Momo and Papa, was something he's wanted for months: a finch feeder, finch food and a plush goldfinch — with realistic sounds! They even included birdwatching binoculars...

...that he used for the rest of the day.

Jack was especially grateful for the money he received, and already instructed me to take it to the bank "so it makes more money."






Attached to the outside of Aunt Laurie's gift was a cool dolphin pen that lights up and makes real dolphin noises.


One of the things she gave him was Oh, Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty. When he saw the picture on the cover of a boy picking his nose, Jack exclaimed, "Look, that's what I do!"
Thanks, sis.

Jack and Macie discussing the finer points of Mousetrap and Martian Matter.

He loves infomercials and direct-response TV, and has been asking for a Snuggie. (Who knew they come in kids size, too?!?) He put it on and looked like Friar Tuck.

Leslie's homemade birthday cake, complete with chocolate ganache filling. Yum!


Papa slipped his watch right off and gladly gave it to Landon to play with and slobber on. Quintessential Grandpa.

From the deck, to the kitchen...

...to the loft. Landon gets around!


Momo learning a thing or two from Oh, Yuck!

When reading it to Jack, I'm sure she skipped over several sections.


By the end of the afternoon, it was time for our families to head back home.

This is classic — the smile on Jack's face and the disgust on Macie's.

Using his Light Sketcher ... while wearing the matching Snuggie socks.

They love seeing each other and were playing so well together, that we decided to have Macie stay over. Jack's first friend to ever spend the night!

Trying out the new toys.

He was given a sheet of temporary tattoos, and wanted them all stuck on at once. (Check out those abs!) And, yes, looks like his underwear's on backwards to me, too.

Maybe he'll get it right when he's 7.