Making up for a sucky birthday

 Poor Harrison had kind of a sucky sixth birthday.  We had to make a quick trip to Omaha the night before his big day, then we stayed the night in Lincoln.  He did get to wake up the day of his birthday at Granny and Papa Ricky's house and have waffles, so that was a bonus at least.  But we couldn't stay and celebrate because we had to get back to Minden for graduation parties.  A few years ago we would have skipped the parties in order to celebrate our sweet son.  However, these parties are pretty much part of Lige's job now.  Being a youth pastor means you work with youth.  And when they graduate, you are invited (read "expected") to attend.  We love the students we work with and are generally happy to attend, but it was tough not being able to celebrate with Harrison the way we wanted to.

Sooooo, in order to make up for it, we stretched his birthday out a few days.  On our way home from Lincoln we stopped in Milford and went through the Dinosaur Museum there.  Harrison likes dinosaurs.  He's not like "those" 4 1/2 year olds who know every single name of every single dinosaur as well as the name of the correct period each one lived and what their diet was, etc., etc.  But he DOES think they are cool, and was excited to go through the museum.  It. Was. Fun.  Especially the Mirror Maze.  Our family had lots of laughs wandering our way through that thing a few times.

When Lige and I got home after all the graduation parties, we lit up some candle-topped cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday".  Harrison got to open his gift from Big Grandma & Grandpa and his card/gift from Grandma and Grandpa Reed.

Skip on over to tonight...the birthday fun continues.  After cheering on the big girls at their tumbling expo, we headed over to Fort Kearny for a night of outdoorsie fun.  We had a pizza picnic followed by gift opening.  He opened packages from Nanny & Grandpa, Aunt Sandy, and finally from Mommy and Daddy.  :)

 Poor Isaac can't understand why everyone gets a birthday but him.  The three older kids get to celebrate their birthdays within a month of one another.  Sad Isaac has to wait until August.  Which might as well be NEVER to a three year old.  :)

We gave Harrison fishing stuff that he got to use within 10 minutes of opening.  How fun is that?!  And he caught a fish, too!

Anlynn spent a lot of time playing at the edge of the water.  She liked touching the algae and digging in the sand. 

 Lige finally got to take out the new kayak he received for Christmas.  He caught two fish from it before he gave all the kids rides. 

 Much longer, and Lucy would have fallen asleep in the kayak!

I got to take a turn, too.  It was such a great night to be on the lake.  I found it soothing and peaceful paddling around.

 We even (gasp!) let Amana paddle herself around the lake.  She is 10 now after all.  :)  She went out with Lige first.  She paddled while he instructed and taught.  He considered her proficient, so we turned her loose.  She did amazing.  I did amazing too, you know, as her mom...for letting her do it. Ha!  She was more than capable.  She had fun.  And I'm pretty sure she was a different kid when she landed back at shore. 

 We ended with a beautiful sunset on the lake.  I think we all had fun.  And I'm pretty sure it made up for Harrison's sucky birthday!