Celebrating Evan's 7th Birthday

We had to have a couple of birthday celebrations for Evan again this year.  On the day of his birthday, we took him Chick-fil-a lunch to his school and some store bought cupcakes for his class.  Since his birthday is one of the few days I have an excuse to visit him at school, I am thankful for the opportunity.  Brody even got to go with us this year, and he loved it!  Evan's classmates always make a big deal of him.  That night we had baseball practice so we had a late dinner at Brooklyn Pizza and had a little cake with the family.  This past Saturday, we celebrated with a little party at a bowling alley.  We actually had a bowling birthday party when he turned 5 with a cowboy theme, and he loved it.  It is such an easy and affordable party where many guests can attend.  We invited many of his classmates, but for some reason, we haven't seen a good turnout for birthday parties from his public school friends.  In preschool, almost everyone would attend the class birthday parties so I don't know why parents in public school don't feel the need to take their kids to parties.  It is a bit disappointing especially when I have made an extra effort to take Evan to two of his classmates' parties this year, and neither of them showed up for his or even called or e-mailed.  Seriously, parents, show some decency and respect!  Okay, that's enough of that tirade.  Evan still had a great time with his friends and family that cared enough to come to his party.

Enjoying lunch with the birthday boy at school. 

Brody had to have some Chick-fil-a too of course. 

Evan's little cake we ate after dinner.  I would have had the bakery write his name on it, but no one was in the bakery when I went to pick it up so I just bought an icing pen and did it myself.  

Our little "big" family makes a presence at any restaurant. 

Those boys were in rare form. 

Yep, they were happy!

Lanny and Evan were pretending to be zombies. 

Evan showing us how he stuck his nose in his cake. 

Silly boys!

Evan wanted a ninja theme this year.  If you do not have a boy, you may not understand the serious fascination with ninjas that is very big right now.  

Adding all the names to the scoreboard. 

Yes, I made yummy homemade cupcakes this year, and they were so good.  Next time, I may try gluten free, but these were seriously so yummy.  Of course, that may be because the icing alone called for four sticks of butter.  ;-)  I also made the ninja toppers. 

And some cool balloons. 

The table is set. 

My little ninja is ready to bowl. 

Best buddies bowling together. 

Three sweet girls from Evan's class came to his party as well as his cousins.  

Even little Cate enjoyed bowling although not as much as rolling in the dirt outside on the bocci ball courts. Ha!

Brody patiently waiting his turn.

Reade bowled like a champ.  I think 5 must be the magic age for bowling.  When we had Evan's 5th birthday party at the bowling alley, he had the highest score.  This year, 5 year old Reade stomped everyone!

This kid was too busy being a silly ninja. 

Our sweet neighbor friend, Zachary, came to the party after playing two baseball games in a tournament. 

Grandma and cousin Grady enjoyed watching the action. 

Cate watching her ball. 

Brody and Cate love running around together. 

Sweet Olivia is one of Evan's favorite classmates, and she was the only girl who stuck around and finished her game. 

Addison is another of Evan's favorite girls at school, and her twin sister Avery also came to the party although she is in a different class at school.  

Yes, Evan insisted on wearing his ninja costume. 

Brody was so big carrying his own ball. 

The final scores for the boys.  Reade stomped them! 

Olivia bowled like a pro. 

Our neighbors watching the action.  It was kind of a neighborhood day at the bowling alley as our other neighbors were bowling next to us for an adult birthday party.  

Miss Emma looking more and more like a teenager everyday.  Sigh. 

These final scores were a little misleading as the boys actually came over to help finish the game for Addison and Avery since they preferred playing video games. 

Everyone is ready for some cake. 

Evan was loving his sparkler birthday candle.  Brody looks like he liked it too.  He had just enjoyed lunch at our Japanese restaurant and was our chef's biggest fan when he made a really big onion volcano and fire. 

Evan wasn't sure if he wanted to blow out his sparkler. 

I like that the sparkler gives you more time to watch the action. 

Enjoying their yummy cupcakes.  I heard no complaints. 

Evan and Lanny being silly around the girls. 

I forgot to get a picture of all the favor bags I made.  I just made some little sticky labels to attach to the bags and filled them with some ninja masks, little ninja action figures, candy, and Japanese fans for the girls.  I had ninja swords for the boys, but since there weren't too many boys, the girls got swords too. 

These girls loved their ninja masks! 

Evan and Brody giving Grandma hugs before she left.  Just a short goodbye as she came back on Tuesday to stay with them for the week. 

And Evan and Lanny finished up with a little game of ping pong.