Nicholas is 7

Nicholas turned 7 years old a week ago. For the first time, we had a birthday party that included more than just our immediate family. On the weekend before his birthday, we had 12-15 kids and about 4-8 adults (at varying times) at our house. The boys spent most of the time playing tag inside and outside of the house. The only planned events were a pinata (which resulted in repeated piles of about 8 boys diving for candy), birthday cake (which all the boys sat around our porch table acting quite grown up), and pizza (which was a bit late in arriving here - and thus resulted in the party continuing for longer than we expected).  All in all, it was a very fun party for Nicholas - and the other kids.

 

Nicholas swings at the pinata, while Doug fears for his head...

 Lily takes a crack - she didn't have to keep her eyes covered.

 

Donovan takes a swing...

 Lily, Nicholas, and Donovan - checking out the sticky spider that Donovan gave to Nicholas.

On his actual birthday, the 12th, we had another celebration with just our family. Here is the "Meezmo" cake, which Nicholas designed and decorated (with help from Doug). The cake is fashioned off the creatures that he and his friends draw, which I believe originated from a green fuzz-ball.

 Nicholas and Donovan with the cake. Donovan has also started to draw his own stick figure creations. They are similar to Nicholas', but are unique.

 Lots of candles!

 Nicholas choosing his piece of cake.

 New ski goggles. Nicholas is very excited to take downhill ski lessons this winter.

 Nicholas reading a new book to Aricca, Lily, and Donovan.

 Nicholas is the proud owner of a new waterproof camera - I expect that our posts will soon include pictures taken by Nicholas.

 Nicholas is excited to have a nerf bow.

 Lily needs some assistance with shooting.

 Donovan really loves the bow - but needs to learn to be more careful and thoughtful with it (he is currently banned from shooting the bow given misguided aiming efforts directed at Nicholas).

Nicholas continues to love Legos - but makes them almost too quickly!  ... The boys are particularly thrilled to have just received a large box of hand-me-down Legos from their Randall cousins!!!