Campout(in) Birthday Hoopla

Probably the most exciting news of 2010 that I'm pleased beyond words to share with you, is that I've held both of the kids' birthday parties in the EXACT SAME MONTH as their actual birthdays!

99% of moms don't consider this a big accomplishment, but I have never been accused of being prompt.

So, without further nonsense, here are far more pictures than you ever wanted to see of Jackson's 8th Camp Out(In) Party.

A month ago, when I planned J's birthday, I had the "brilliant" idea to have a campout in the backyard. While I knew it might be cold, I figured mid-May would be free of, you know, SNOW FALL.

I was wrong. It snowed, it rained, it froze, it mudded, it was NOT appropriate weather to ask other people's children to sleep outdoors in tents.

(It is NEVER appropriate for me to sleep outdoors in a tent, but this seemed really extreme for even hard core boys.)

So, we camped indoors.

Here's the cake:

And this next photo is for Jackson's future wife, because I want to be up front early on about how much this man-child eats.

Not sure about the Tom Foolery going on here, but there was some general silliness directed towards blowing out the candles.

Of which, I might add, there were way too many for my comfort.

Reminded me of the old days when the Red Robin Singers would come out and Jackson started crying before they got one "Happy Birthday" out.

(***please notice my amazing brick backsplash that I regard with deeper affection then either of the hamsters I owned as a child. Brad's blood, toil, sweat, & tears are grafted in with our home forever***)

(Any responsible blogger would do an entire feature on her amazing backsplash with the great accompanying story, but I am not that blogger.)

But he handled it like a seasoned champ.

Next, the boys worked on toasting the evening with orange Gatorade.

One of them helpfully taught everyone how to say "cheers" in German.

Good stuff.

After watching a movie and playing the most violent version of foosball I've ever witnessed, it was time for a midnight snack.

(Picture the boys around a warm, raging fire in the backyard. That was my original dream. UNTIL IT SNOWED IN MAY.)

There was a slight problem with the s'mores.

The ingredients were stolen and a scavenger hunt unfolded.

They found some marshmallows under the table.

Brad masterfully planned the clues so that they were incredibly challenging and only Jackson would know where things were. Hey, if your kid can't be the hero at their own birthday party, when can they?

Some flashlights were hiding outside in the rain...along with the candles to roast our goodies over an open flame.

As you can tell by Jackson's lackluster roasting technique, we don't camp that much.

Or, more accurately, ever.

But he worked it out.

I'm sorry, but can we check out the cheeks below:

They didn't even have marshmallows in them!

Ok, here is our sweet friend, Zach. He and Jackson have been celebrating birthdays together for a looong time.

Can you believe this? THREE.

Arrrr...Matey! They have been pirates, cowboys, soccer teammates, Jedi Knights, Wiggles fans, and Wii compadres together. That is a lot of livin'.

There are some gaping photographic holes in this journalistic recap, but I didn't capture the 10 minutes of sleep on camera.

Probably because I was downstairs making these. For the boys. (Because I am unselfish.)

After hot dogs, chips, cake, ice cream, s'mores, and gummy Army men, you can imagine they were famished.

Plus, 10 minutes of sleep will give you more energy than you ever thought.

Sometimes I think I missed my calling to open an orphanage. I love the conversation, energy, and personalities gathered around the breakfast table. Plus, I never turn down an opportunity to re-enact "It's a Hard Knock Life."

Now, I know Lilly doesn't look her best here, but I thought you'd want another opportunity to admire my backsplash. I lose hours each day just gazing at it.
(And do you see how laid back I've become? Mario napkins from last year's party! I didn't freak out and create my own camping-themed napkins when I couldn't find the right ones for this blessed event. I MISMATCHED THEMES. This is serious growth.)

Now, back to my boy.

Jackson, I think you are amazing. Not because of anything you've done, said, or accomplished, but because you're mine.
And every birthday, YOU are the best gift of all.