Finn's 6th

"When your kids hit a certain age, you are supposed to let them pick out their own backpack and birthday party theme". As per sister Jessica, when I questioned her decision to let Tacy pick out the pink hello kitty backpack over 5 years ago. Finn was just a baby.

A Bob-the-Builder party? {{{Shudder}}}. Not for my boy, thank you. My wee brain insisted that all my birthday parties would be Martha Stewart-esque. And backpacks? Why, they must be neutral to match each and every outfit. However, I tucked Jessica's advice away...

Fast forward 5 years... I am lucky if I even manage any party at all...and you should have seen me in Target last week, hyperventilating over the McQueen party plates and cups for Finn's 6th birthday.

I dashed home and practically woke Finn up, just so I could see him smile at all the McQueen loot I bought.

Boy, things have changed around here. And it's not that bad. I'm happy when the boys are happy.

Which explains why I called 2 different Michaels to track down the McQueen-shaped cake pan. And drove all the way across town to the far Michaels because they were gone at the store near me.

I was absolutely determined to follow the Wilton cake instructions to the tee. No short-cuts.

I diligently mixed up all 8 different color frostings and put each color in its own bowl.

That only took me 2 hours.

I was so excited. This cake was going to be absolutely perfect!

Except that I completely ignored the part about greasing the bottom of the pan with SHORTENING, not butter or margarine.

I used margarine anyway. What could go wrong?

Well, McQueen's face could get ripped right off or something...THAT IS WHAT COULD GO WRONG.

Hm. This was going to be tricky. I was going to have to do a lot of guessing on where his eyes went and such.

The more I frosted, the messier things got. My vision of the perfect cake was going right down the toilet. The cake was looking like a disaster. I almost quit, but once I frosted the eyes, it started to look a bit more like McQueen. The directions seemed ridiculously backwards, so I finished my way.

Though kludgy and rookie looking, it was still McQueen, no doubt about that.

Kind of looked like McQueen was in a wreck, but Finn was happy with it! I was back in business! Vrooom!!!

John encouraged me to to take a cake class to improve my technique. He should know better than to entice me with yet another hobby that would gobble up my time and money. That's all that's missing in my life right now.

I wanted a photo with Finn and his cake. I made him change his shirt 3 times so the colors didn't clash with his cake, LOL. Old habits die hard. Some things will never change:)

I was kicking myself for not embroidering him a McQueen shirt.

Mom went out and got some balloons.





Of course I waited til the last minute to throw this party together, so it was very small and quaint. But we ended up having the best time ever. There was absolutely no stress.

The kids played soccer and softball outside in the most perfect weather ever.

Dad pitching to Finny's dear friend Zach.

John set up a homemade t-ball set for Ollie, who was in heaven; Nikki and Cade to the right.

We sang Happy Birthday,

Finn read aloud his favorite McQueen book to his party guests,

We opened presents,

And we visited with loved ones.

John's brother Mark; and Breanna holding Twain.

Happy 6th Birthday Finn! I feel like the most blessed mama on the planet to call you my son. I hope you can tell how much I love you, dear boy!