Lauren's 7th Birthday

Lauren's 7th Birthday. She is growing up so fast, and I am SO PROUD of her. And yes, it's yet another occasion for me to marvel at how FAST time flies by, and how precious each moment is - BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!....you've heard me say it all before....but you know it's true.

In fact, as I write this, I'm struggling with how to 'document' the weekend - how to detail the events. I don't want to start on a sad note, but I guess there's really no way around it. You see....Lauren's great-grandpa ...passed away. I should say, I have a great deal of respect for Grandpa Rivault - he was a fine man, and his mind was as sharp as a tack - right to the end. He was 97, and had fallen into bad health recently. It was his time. When I say that I'm proud of Lauren, it's the memory of her at Grandpa's funeral that sticks in my mind. Lauren is a very mature 7 years old. She understood everything that was going on - yet her tears....seemed 'fresh' from her heart...like, she's young enough not to have any baggage, yet old enough to experience the loss. It was hard to look at her and not cry.

....phew.... I say all that because Lauren's birthday celebration had to be postponed. It was a hectic rescheduling job, and Jacqui should get a big 'Thank You' for her hard work.....you know she pretty much does all that stuff.

OK, now it's Happy  Time!! The birthday festivities started out with a Friday night SLUMBER PARTY!!!

...Lauren will have to help me here - I know none of these girls.

Oh boy - crafts....and...stuff...
oh, I see - they are making picture frames - wow.

Thank goodness Mimi is there to help.

Who's in charge here?

...after running and screaming and playing and going crazy...it finally settled down.

Saturday was spent recovering.   On Sunday, we rented a bounce house and did the "block party" thing. WooHoo!!

I'm pretty sure nobody will be driving through here today......I hope.

Hey, that's my job!

Abigail (sp?), Lauren, Maggie and Grier all smile for the camera.

Austin and Gate go for a Gator ride!!

At some point, we pulled everyone inside for cake.

HERE'S THE OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY VIDEO!~!~!~!~!

Reading the card is not Lauren's favorite part....

..it's opening the presents she really enjoys!

Sorry Honey, this isn't your birthday party...

...but sure - you can still jump in the jumping house!!

GO JACQUI!!!

Nana gets in the pic.
....and hey - what's this can???

OH BOY - SILLY STRING!!!!!

Austin sprays Nana and Lauren - good shot buddy!
...ok, he did have some help.

For revenge, Lauren just throws a handful back.

Yeah, sure....it's all fun and games....

...until someone puts an eye out.
Ok, it wasn't that bad - but I think some silly string got in my beer.

While not birthday related - these pics were taken around the same time, and were just too cute not to post.

Austin plays "peek-a-boo" with foam swords.

PEEK-A-BOO!!!!

...ok, back to the birthday pics - here's Lauren on her 1st skateboard.
GO GIRL!!!

Hey Pops!!!

The boys struggle with these balloons....

Jacqui, I thought I already told you that it wasn't your birthday party??

Mimi gets some video (I want a copy!)

...Happy Birthay.....where's Lauren???