For two nights now I've tried to finish editing photos from this weekend and post about it all, but for two nights I have completely passed out and fallen asleep with the computer in my lap. Crazy, busy times, but definitely GOOD times :) So tonight I'm hopped up on chocolate cake, the birthday pictures are edited, and I'm determined to get this done!
Kenny asked if he could give G his present on Saturday morning.....

....a Star Wars fishing pole! He wanted to give it to him on Saturday morning so that Graham could go out fishing when he and Faith went out that afternoon. Of course Kenny tried to teach him how to use it, but if you have a 4 or 5 year old, you could guess that Graham already knew ALL about it and didn't need any advice (yeah, right!) He only threw the entire fishing pole once while practicing casting :) Good to get that out of the way before you get to the water! The pole came with some "practice fish" so Graham did some fishing off of the play structure.

No one caught any fish when they went out later, but I think they all had a good time. Graham didn't throw the pole into the water, but he managed to fall in and get all wet. I'm so happy that he enjoyed the adventure - I've been looking for ways to keep him outside more as it gets nicer.
Later that afternoon we Skyped with Nana and Papa so they could see him open their presents.

Graham's very excited to have some new games for his Leap Pad :)
I also decided to let him open one of my gifts - just to spread out the celebration and help him enjoy the beautiful weather....

....on his new Star Wars scooter! Again, trying to keep him outside more often than he's on the computer or Leap Pad. He's been a little disinterested in learning to ride his bike, so I thought this might be a good in between step.
It was so nice out and we spent a lot of time outside...

I even caught Ellie trying out G's scooter ('cause she can do anything her brother can! lol)

(she actually does a pretty decent job on it!)
On Sunday morning he got the rest of his presents from me and presents from Eleanor - some Star Wars and Spiderman stuff...

Love his happy face when he opened the Lego Star Wars character encyclopedia :)

(we've been reading about 6 characters/night before bed - he's hooked!)
Right before lunch Wil came to get the kids to hang out with Mum-Mum and Pop-Pop before the party. Worked out well that they got to spend some time with him, and I had some time to prepare for the party without little people at my feet. Party prep included cake decorating....

....and getting everything to Chuck E. Cheese's so that we had a bunch of reserved tables together.

Graham wanted his party to be at Chuck E. Cheese's this year - definitely one of his favorite places. And with the weather being as unpredictable as it's been, it seemed like a decent idea. He also wanted to have a Star Wars themed party - thank you Target for having these awesome inflatable light saber favors! Little buckets of tokens and some Star Wars activities sheets also awaited his guests.
Soooo many fun shots from the party - it's hard for kids to NOT have a good time at Chuck E. Cheese! I think the big kids and even the adults had a good time too :)

Justin playing a driving game with his light saber at the ready!

Faith and Krissy playing skee ball - I got some skee ball in myself later on :)

Ellie and Sabrina getting their Nascar on!

Josh and Melissa playing Guitar Hero (I caught Melissa playing again by herself!)

Can't believe how big these boys are getting to be

Brian and Sam racing

Graham playing his favorite game in his party hat :)

CAKE!

And presents - this is a Yoda alarm clock from Faith :)
Graham tells me he had a great birthday and if he's happy, then I'm happy! We are so very blessed to have so many family and friends (both near and far) to celebrate this special occasion with. Thanks to everyone that remembered Graham with gifts, cards, and happy birthday wishes - it made his day very special!