Dino Party

My nephew, Jake, turned 5 this summer. I realize I am only 31 years old. I have MANY years ahead of  me. But there's something about your nephew turning 5 that makes you feel old. My oldest nephew is 8. I remember waiting at the hospital for Dylan to arrive. My sister's youngest, Aaron, is almost 3. And somehow my newest nephew, Sam, is already 4 months old! These kids are getting big and getting big FAST! Someone tell them to slow down!

The birthday boy

Jake is a fan of dinosaurs, for now. Last year it was Thomas the Tank Engine. The year before that was Super Why. It's very important to stay on top of what they are into, or you'll get the wrong present and won't be cool anymore. And let me tell you, I decided years ago that I was going to be the cool/fun aunt. My sister and I have some amazing memories with our Aunt Jane, who has always been fun and a tad crazy (in a good way); always willing to be fun and silly. Well I want my nephews (and hopefully someday, nieces) to think I'm FUN! Haley will probably disagree with them at times, which she should. As her mom, I will not always be fun. I'll be "mean" and "unfair". I accept that role. But Dylan, Jake, Aaron, and now Sam, will hopefully think of me as fun and exciting!

My sister, Christie, did a fantastic job with the decorations and the games. She got a dinosaur "egg" kit. It involves sand and some kind of mix that makes dinosaur eggs with little plastic dinosaurs in it. Then she hid them around the backyard (enough for each kid to find one). They had to use a chisel and hammer to "crack the egg".

Christie explaining the game

On the hunt for a Dinosaur Egg!

Looks like Haley 

found an egg! 

Jake has a lot of people who love him, so in order to maintain some order and not go insane, the party was for immediate family and a few close friends. 

Emmeline, cute as usual

Haley hanging out with Pap

Present time

All the kids biding their time,
waiting to storm the steps and
"help" Jake open presents

Pretty sure Ted was tired, and not disgusted!

Cake can be tricky when you have a lot of kids. Cupcakes are a smart way to go. And that's the way my smart sister went! Apparently she found a really cute kit that could be personalized. That cupcake topper says "Jakeosauraus!" Talk about cool in the eyes of a 5 year old. His mom found a dinosaur named after him! Way to go Mom!

Someone has gotten good
at blowing out the candles!

One thing I love about my life is that despite the fact that I don't see some of my "oldest" friends as often as I like, I am able to catch up with them rather quickly and it's always good to see them, never awkward. We just kind of "pick-up" where we left off. Maybe it's because the past 20 years or so have given us such a good foundation that the few months in-between visits are insignificant in the big picture. I was given the gift of immediate friendship in my brother and sister, Darin and Christie. Then our parents surrounded us with wonderful families who had kids our age; some of which were the Lamberts and the Richwines, among others. My sister married a Lambert, so my friend became my brother-in-law. It's been amazing to watch our group grow up and have kids of our own. I'm hopeful that Haley will have an experience that is as much of a blessing.

Christie and Ted

Linda and some Lambert Littles

Dave and Chris

Joshua, a Lambert Little

Emmeline, the perfect mix of a Leins and a Lambert

My little, with her Pap