We didn't start the fire...

Hunter has been obsessed with all things fireman for a while now, so it was a no-brainer that we'd go with this as a theme for his birthday party.  As embarrassing as this is, I actually started researching online LAST SUMMER for fire departments that would let you come to them for a party.  Luckily the Richardson Fire Department will come to your house if you live in the city, so I didn't have to search that long:)

The invite...

Erin at E-Three Design Studio designed the invitations and printables and she was great to work with!  I highly recommend her if you're looking for someone:)  She made an invite with Hunter's picture and one without.  Erin and I both liked the one with his picture better, but I thought since it was his party, I'd let Hunter choose...and of course he chose the photoless option.

This was my favorite thing...

I'm so mad at myself that I forgot to take the saran wrap off the top before taking a picture.  You know I obsessed over that for like 20 minutes after I checked the pictures.

We had baggies with fireman badges or fire truck tattoos and a scoop so the kids could add some candy to their bag before leaving...

Cupcakes...

Since Aunt Courtney moved to Houston and can't make the kids' birthday cakes anymore, I had to resort to buying one from Target...

A lot of us were really impressed with what a great job they did...

And it tasted great!

$6 Hobby Lobby find...

It's on the shelf in Hunter's room now:)

Banner that came with Erin's pacakge...

5!  FIVE!  Who can believe that!?

When the fire trucks started to pull up, the kids were so excited...

They brought TWO!...

The kids got to take turns checking out the inside and holding some of the tools...

They got a call during their demonstration, so one of the trucks had to leave.  I thought it made the party even more exciting!

After about 30 minutes, it was time for the other truck to leave...

Right after this picture, Hunter and Chloe started jumping up and down screaming as the firemen turned on the lights and sirens...

After the firemen left, everyone went inside to eat.  I made Charlotte a plate, and then couldn't find Hunter.  So I went outside to find him bouncing in the fire truck bounce house...alone...

Why eat when there's a bounce house in your front yard?

Soon Thomas joined him...

And then Zack...

The kids bounced, played in H's room, and in the backyard for a little while...

And then we had cake...

I love how giddy he gets when people sing Happy Birthday...

And when Hunter couldn't take it anymore, I finally let him sit down to open presents...

It got really chaotic after several gifts.  The kids kept migrating closer and closer in towards me, so I must have flipped a switch on my camera to a different mode, because there were several pictures that turned out like this...

I think it's appropriate for expressing the moment.  It was crazy.

Pretty soon afterward, everyone left and we ALL took naps.  Hunter had such a great time!  Thanks to everyone who made his day so special!

On your fifth birthday...

I've said it so many times to you already, but I can't comprehend that you are already 5 years old.  Just as you said the other day, "It feels like I was born yesterday"...it feels that way to me too, sweet son!  I can vividly remember those first few weeks after we brought you home from the hospital.  I loved you from the second I heard you cry when you first entered this world.  From that moment, I have wanted you to know how much your father and I love you, and even more importantly, how much God loves you.

As I was searching for the perfect words to tell you of my love for you, I came across one of our favorites, Nancy Tillman...

"I wanted you more than you will ever know,
so I sent love to follow wherever you go.
It's high as you wish.  It's quick as an elf.
You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself.

So climb any mountain...climb up to the sky!
My love will find you.  My love can fly.
Make a big splash!  Go out on a limb!
My love will find you.  My love can swim.

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...
if you're working, or playing or sitting with friends.
You can dance til you're dizzy,
paint til you're blue,
There's no place, not one, that my love can't find you.

My love is so high, and so wide, and so deep,
it's always there, even when you're asleep.
So hold your head high and don't be afraid
to march to the front of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe or you're all grown,
my promise to you is you're never alone.
You are my angel, my darling, my star,
and my love will find you wherever you are."

And that, my little H, is so true....of my feelings for you and of our God's love for you.  His love is higher and deeper and wider than we can ever know.  You are special because He made you perfectly.

Happy Birthday to you, Hunter Richard!  I hope it was all you dreamed it would be...

Seven

My seven favorites for seven years with my favorite...

His servant heart. 

His unconditional love...literally, I don't know anyone who loves better than him. 

The model he provides for our children, especially our son...who is already becoming a servant just like his father. 

That he can still surprise me after almost 9 years together...I was shocked that he loved Disney as much as I did.

His joy...he's just happy...and makes my life happier.

How he plays with our kids...with just the right amount of wrestling...because you know they're not going to get that from me.

His faith even in trials...the man knows how to wait upon the Lord.

I love you, BH.  I am a better woman after seven years as your wife.  Thank you for you...my heart is so full...

Ben the Bear

This past Tuesday Hunter got to bring Ben the Bear home from school to spend the week with our family.  Hunter was so excited to have a new family member, and he did a pretty good job of remembering to bring him everywhere with us.

On Tuesday, Ben played in the backyard with us...

And he had fun watching tv with H and C several days this week...

The iphone is always a hit...

I didn't get a picture of it, but Hunter was holding Ben's paw and trying to have him push the buttons on the phone.  It was dang cute.

Ben ate dinner with us...

And slept with Hunter at night and during naps...

On Friday we drove out to Las Colinas to visit some of Frank's (my father in law) cousins that were in town, and Ben drove out there with us...

And he came to soccer practice on Thursay and the soccer game on Saturday...

(Hunter was in a terrible mood that day.)

Mine and James's anniversary is tomorrow, so when he was on a run yesterday, the kids and I put this hammock together so he could be surprised with his gift when he got home.  The kids loved cuddling on the hammock with Ben...

(And today after naptime, Charlotte asked if she could go ride the roller coaster.  It took me a couple of minutes to figure out that the roller coaster was the hammock!)

Then Grandee and Poppy came over tonight to watch the kids so that James and I could go out for our anniversary, so of course Ben had to spend some time with them...

I know Hunter will be so sad to take Ben back to school on Tuesday...he felt so special having him for the week!