Jacob is 6!

This past Thursday, October 13th, Jacob turned 6!!! On his birthday he took ice cream bars into his kindergarten class and shortly after he got home from kindergarten Grandma Amy and Papa rolled into town to surprise him. He was speechless. I thought he was going to cry. Later that night after gymnastics he opened his gifts. Friday evening was the party he may have been waiting for his entire life. He has never had a birthday party where he picked a theme and invited a handful of his closest friends. He decided long ago he wanted a firework themed party. When I asked him who he wanted to invited he started with Brock (our neighbor and his good buddy), then Corey (another good buddy), then Tonya (his BUS DRIVER), then Brent (TRAVIS' EMPLOYEE)...it was about this time I intervened and started making suggestions. There were still more adults on Jake's list than children, but he really does love Tonya, Kendall, Ali, and his grandparents. It just wouldn't have been the perfect party without them.

For a couple of months he has been planning the firework show. He researched youtube and knew exactly which brands and types of fireworks to purchase. After months of waiting he went finally got to go to the firework store a couple of weeks ago.

Jake was so sad that Ali wasn't going to be able to come celebrate with him. Again, he almost cried when she surprised him by coming into town for a birthday visit.

We started the party with dinner, then the kids painted pumpkins, then presents and a firework cake, and finally the firework show. He did a fantastic job of picking out fireworks and I think the party was all he had dreamed it would be.

Jake's friends Shawn and Cooper

Jacob and Brock

Ali and Kendall

The child who enjoyed painting the most? Justin!

Tonya (the bus driver) and Grandma Jo cleaning up the painting aftermath

Justin required a bath mid party. Travis predicted his nipples would be painted. He was right.

Presents

Shawn gave Jake cash. He was so happy.

The firework cake

The firework show. Nothing says fall quite like fireworks.

Last year when Jake turned five, he was so offended that I would not drive him to kindergarten. Now that he has started kindergarten he is ready for it to be over. His mind is so busy, there just isn't enough to keep him occupied. He would be much happier if they would just let him talk to everyone all through the day, but sadly that is against the rules.

Jake has a very mechanical mind and we cannot wait to see what he becomes when he grows up. He finds something that interests him and researches it until he is satisfied he knows all there is to know. Recently, we came across a catepillar on our walk home from the bus. It wasn't long before he knew what type of catepillar we had found, how to make a habitat, and what to feed the catepillar. Louie (the catepillar) may just have been the longest living captive catepillar. All the informtion was gathered through youtube. Jake loves youtube. He watches videos about everything he loves--catepillars, vaccuums, fireworks, and the occasional laughing baby.

Jake brings a lot of spark to our family. He constantly amazes us and definitely keeps us laughing without even trying. He has never really played with toys. To him work is play. He is an impressive four wheeler driver, has never met a stranger, and is finally learning to listen (hallelujah!).

We love you Jake! Happy 6th birthday!