Charles turns 6

Last Sunday, May 18th, was Charles' sixth birthday. This is one day after an important day in our heritage, syttende mai, which is Norwegian Constitution Day (my dad taught us Kewishes to be proud Norsks).

We had a family party and Charles got to decide what kind of cake he wanted Liz to try to create (more on this below). He specifically said he wanted a white cake with chocolate frosting, in the shape of a T-Rex. He also got to choose dinner, which was pasta with cheese, jell-o, and his favorite salad (spinach, strawberries, candied pecans, and gorgonzola).

Now that Charles has started Kindergarten and has attended a few big birthday parties, it's getting harder and harder to please him with our traditional family party. This year I thought we were in the clear, until the following conversation happened the day before his birthday:

Me: Charles, only one more day until your birthday!
Charles: Yeah, and then I will go to Pump It Up (local moonbounce/pizza place) with all my friends.
Me: Umm, no...we never planned anything like that.
Charles: (confused look)
Me: Sorry, but if you want to have a party at Pump It Up we have to plan it in advance.
Charles: Why?
Me: Well, because the place needs to know that you're coming and how many people are coming. Plus, you have to send out invitations to all your friends in advance so they know when it is.
Charles: (confused look)
Me: I didn't know you were thinking about having a party for your friends. I'm sorry.
Charles: (still confused)
Me: We'll have to talk to Mommy and ask her what she thinks and maybe if you want to have one we can do it next year and plan it in advance.
Charles: (thinking)
Charles: I know Dad. We can buy some cards today and I can write on them real fast and give them to my friends to come tomorrow.

I know, so sad...but actually, since Liz and I rarely had any parties with friends when we were younger, we're not feeling too much pressure. Maybe we'll indulge him one of these years.

Here are some pictures:

Here is the T-Rex cake. Liz says she absolutely did not mean for it to come out looking like a rabid beaver. Luckily, when he first saw it and I asked him what it was, he happily yelled, "a T-Rex!!!" Whew.

Here is his birthday dinner. We were a little confused at his request for the entree, since we don't eat it that often (or ever, actually--he only had it previously when Liz was trying to be creative with some leftover pasta.).

Charles is very excited for the party to begin. Joey is also excited.

Charles is doing a great job blowing out his birthday candles. Joey is also doing a great job.

Charles is carefully opening his first present. Joey is very excited about it too (Although to be fair, this was the present Joey picked out for him and insisted he open first. Joey has played with this present nonstop since the party and Charles has barely touched it. Hmmm).

Charles is checking out the details of the jet fighter. Joey is pointing them out to him.

Charles is intently reading the back of one of his very specific birthday list requests--The Rescuers Down Under (which we scored for 99 cents--thank you Half Price Books!). I don't know how we got off so easily with his requests. Joey is also interested in reading the details.

Tori was actually delighted about her Birthday Clown present--a Disney puzzle that talks to you. Joey is not pictured, but I'm sure he is checking it out. Actually, Tori really loves this puzzle, but it has quickly entered the "Furby All-Stars" possessed toys category for us. The pieces have photo receptors under them, so the puzzle knows when a piece is taken out or put back in and says something appropriate, like "Do you know where Goofy is?" or "Hi there Minnie!" The problem is that if the puzzle is sitting there without the pieces in a dark room, and you walk in the room and turn on the light, suddenly a Mickey Mouse voice asks very loudly, "DO YOU KNOW WHERE GOOFY IS?" and it scares you half to death. Really? They didn't think about that when they were designing it? Well, as you can see, she loves it, so I guess we'll keep it around.

On the other hand...

I felt bad for making it seem like we allow our Tori to go around looking like an orphan. So, in the interest of not supplying her with more reasons to hate me when she's 16, I thought I'd post what she looks like each morning once she is put together and ready for the day, with her hair under control.

Bedhead

We're not sure what went on in Tori's crib last night, but this morning she woke up with the most insane bedhead we have ever seen. She reminds us of one of those troll dolls with crazy hair--she is Norwegian after all.

China

I am finally doing a quick post about my trip to China. It was an amazing trip and I had a great time. Everything was perfect, the places we saw, the people, the shopping, the food we ate, and the shopping, I just had to say that one again because it really was great. After visiting China I am much more interested in the people and their culture.

In the Forbidden City

On the Great wall of china, which I never thought I would have a chance to stand on in my life.

In the Forbidden City, I love all the architecture in this picture.

I love this picture. Almost none of the babies/toddlers wear diapers. Instead they just have a slit in their pants and business is taken care of when needed.

I was so excited when this months National Geographic showed up and it was all about China. I can't wait to read it.