Fawn at Five.

You are a mama's boy and a daddy's best friend.

You are a baby brother's protector, instigator, and entertainer.

You are a camo-wearing, hunting-loving, Bama-cheering southern lad.

You are a Lego-building, game playing, Transformer-transforming kid.

You are a pirate-talking, joke-telling, laughter-inducing funny boy.

You are a dressing-up, role-playing, map-drawing dreamer.

You are an almost-reading, never-forgetting, constantly-asking learner.

You are God's.

You are ours.

You are loved.

Transformers Birthday Party.

Fawn was insistent that we have a Transformers birthday party at home for his fifth birthday -- nothing else would do! Since his birthday fell on a Sunday and since there is tons of Transformers merchandise available these days to make it fairly easy, we obliged. We ended up inviting all of the boys in his class plus four more of his best friends -- including Fawn that's fourteen boys. Oh my word. We sent an Evite featuring Optimus Prime that said "Autobots Roll Out! Hughston is transforming to five!" And, everyone RSVP'd yes so I was bracing myself for a house full of hyper little boys. But, three boys ended up not being able to come and the weather was perfect for some outside play. It all worked out, and I'm so glad we have these memories of his birthday at home.

As Fawn's friends arrived, we had Transformers wristbands, masks, and tattoos for them. And, in our living room we set out all of his Rescue Bots, Bot Shots, and unbreakable Transformers (we are all a bit too OCD to have all of his breakable Transformers out for the masses!). The boys had a great time playing!

Then we transitioned into the playroom for our craft -- a stand up transformer to color. Fawn wanted to do a "make your own plasma cannon" craft but after hours searching for supplies, I gave up. These were fun and cute and the boys enjoyed coloring.

The Hendersons brought Collins so Small Fry would have a buddy -- they did a little coloring of their own. So cute!

Then we headed outside for Transformers-themed games.

Lots of big smiles because Optimus Prime arrived to lead them in the games.

And who was Optimus?

Buck of course!

He did a great job of leading the kids on a Hide and Seek for the Allspark (red Starburst inside yellow Easter eggs) and a picture scavenger hunt to the Energon cube. Then we played protect planet earth from the Decepticons (by keeping the balloons off the ground).

I think the little boys loved popping the balloons the best.

In the backyard, Optimus and Bumblebee (otherwise known and Buck and Fawn) played Decepticon tag. When they tagged a boy he was sent to the fort. After the outside fun we headed inside.

For brownie cake as requested by Fawn (or Bumblebee Brownies as we called them).

I absolutely love this picture and am so glad Fawn's best buddy Turner is in here.

I hope your wish comes true!

Along with Bumblebee Brownies we served Allspark Punch (red and blue Gatorade), Starscream Ice Cream, Decepticorn (cheese popcorn), and Energon Cubes (red and blue Jello Jigglers). It was really cute, pretty easy, and a big hit with the birthday boy. We capped the birthday party with an Optimus Prime pinata and handed out treat bags that Fawn carefully made for all of his guests with all sorts of little Transformers-themed toys.

After his friends left, our extended family arrived to continue the celebration. We opened gifts, sang, and enjoyed brownie cake number two. It was a special day for a special five year old. We love you Fawn, we are so proud of the boy you are becoming, and we were honored to be part of your celebration. May your sixth year be your best yet!

Fawn's Fifth Birthday

Fawn turned five on January 26. Five seems like a big deal -- so we wanted him to have a special day. His birthday fell on a Sunday, so we planned to celebrate all day.

We started the day with presents. A Transformers blanket made by Mom, a Transformer (Hard Shell), a Lego Chima book with Legos all from Mom and Dad and a Power Rangers sword from Small Fry. Fawn was one excited five year old.

So excited by the pile of presents (and the house decorated for his Transformers party -- are we sensing an obsession?).

He is such a big boy -- but sometimes I glimpse a profile and catch the last looks of my baby, the button nose, the round cheeks. Oh and those perfect little hands!

No material thing makes him happier than a new Transformer.

Sweet boy stole a fleece blanket of mine when he was about two and moved into his big boy bed. It is a totally girly polka dot blanket. I thought this Transformers blanket would make a good trade to get mine back -- it worked!

We followed presents by chocolate chip pancakes (I tried for sprinkle pancakes but for this chocolate-loving boy they do not compare to chocolate chips). Then we headed to church, where I volunteered at Children's Church so I wouldn't have to spend a moment away from my birthday boy. We skipped out on Sunday School (it was an All-Adult Sunday School week) and headed home for our last surprise present. We gave Fawn his Transformers birthday card (complete with Optimus Prime talking to you) and it said there was another present downstairs.

Hmmm...I wonder what it could be.

SO EXCITED!

Running toward...

His new bike!

So big and so proud!

We took the boys and the bike up to Brookwood Forest to ride and play until Small Fry's nap. We enjoyed the pretty weather and played, played, played.

A little riding.

A little swinging.

A little climbing.

And then Daddy got in on the action.

Fun family times.

Then it was back home to put Small Fry down for his nap and put the finishing touches on Fawn's Transformers birthday party. And what a party it was!

Circus Time.

We went to Magic Moments Night at the Circus the Friday night before Fawn's birthday. It was a great kickoff to a weekend full of celebration for our little guy. We missed the circus last year because Fawn chose the boat show over the circus, but this year we took advantage of Buck's free work tickets and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Buck did not want to attend -- he is not a circus person. And, he had a work conflict -- he was out of town in Montgomery and wasn't expected back in town until late Friday night. So we lined up Mimi and Pops to watch Small Fry and invited Fawn's good buddy Hamp and his sweet mom Jenni to join us. (As an aside, we did take Fawn to this circus when he was this age -- what were we thinking?!?)

We started the night with face painting. Hamp got an Alabama A which is especially funny considering his family are huge Tennessee fans. Fawn chose Spiderman. It was A TON of face paint, but he looked adorable and thought it was so cool.

Getting ready for face painting with the cowboy clown.

The clowns were doing the face painting.

He really did look like Spiderman (and boy did we have fun getting all this off before bed!).

Then we ate dinner and headed into the jumpy house/ride area. The boys were especially excited to ride the pirate ship.

It was time to head into the greatest show on earth. We, of course, made a pit stop for an overpriced light up toy (a gun this year -- what else would an almost five-year-old boy choose?) and got into our seats as the introductory parade began.

Spider-Fawn, his circus toy, and his class leopard who spent the weekend with us. (I should draft another post on the bad idea to sign Fawn up to be the child of the week the week after his birthday -- just piling on mama duties to an already over-extended mama. I digress.)

He had a big time -- loved the animal acts the best. The tigers and lions I found to be very frightening but he ate the whole thing up.

Fawn and Hamp -- so thankful for this sweet new friend.

Fawn, me and the leopard.

Fawn and Daddy post-circus.

Holidays at the Farm.

We just got back from the most wonderful, relaxing time at the farm. I am so thankful for such a beautiful, peaceful place to go with my family. And, I am thankful for my woods-loving hubby and my boys who are always happier and more content outside than inside. Love them and so loved our extended time together.

We headed to the farm the day after Christmas for a couple days. It was great detox from the Christmas frenzy and rush. Buck took Fawn on his first ever duck hunt and they were successful.

After Small Fry's naps, he and I explore the pond road while we wait for our hunting men to return. He loves his exploring time -- sometimes he dawdles, sometimes he runs. He digs in the dirt, searches for sticks and stomps in ant beds. It's precious, perfect little boy time.

I drove the boys home and Buck headed to Selma to hunt with his life long friends. We went to church and then celebrated Aunt C's birthday Sunday before heading back to the farm first thing Monday morning. We stayed until Saturday. It was the longest stretch I had ever spent at the farm and the longest we have been out of town as a family. Pure bliss. It flew by, and while there was lots that needed doing when we got home (I'm still playing catch-up) I did not want to leave. One of the highlights was Uncle Pak's fireworks show on New Year's Eve. It was great! And, Fawn's farm friends came over to enjoy the show with us.

The big boys went hunting almost every morning and afternoon -- except for a rainy morning and a super-freezing morning. They had fun -- and success!

What else do we do? A lot of playing outside and running around. Tag, hide-n-seek, soccer, kickball. We ride around in the golf cart and Doc's new Bad Boy Buggy. Fawn practices shooting his BB gun. 

Small Fry and I continued to explore the pond road. One afternoon we heard a buck grunt, we saw an otter, and we saw lots of tracks. Small Fry even understands what a track is and he loves to point them out. He also found a stick and pretended to shoot the birds.

A perfect farm sunset to end a perfect farm week.