JD is 7 Years Old!

Bittersweet. My little boy is not so little anymore. He's officially a 7 year old big kid. Waaaaaa! He's had a fun-filled birthday week - celebrated at school, at home, then with his friends this weekend. The week started out not-so-good though when he got sick on Sunday. Sore throat, headache, then later that day a low fever. I kept him home from school on Monday but he never had another fever and seemed fine other than a little congestion. Sent him back to school on Tuesday and Wednesday (his birthday fell on Wednesday). He had his awards program that day and got A-Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance Awards, then had cookie cake in class with his friends to celebrate his birthday. Then that night started running fever again. So I stayed home with him on Thursday and took him to the doctor. She thought for sure he had strep but the test came back negative. Long story. . . . but decided to do antibiotics just in case the results were wrong - and she sent them off to the lab for further testing. Kept him home Thursday and Friday and by Friday he was feeling fine. Good thing, because his birthday party was planned for Saturday.

Here he is on Wednesday night for his birthday dinner (personal homemade pizzas).

Bud, Ryan and I got him a new pair of Ariat boots, Toy Story 3 game for his 3DS, a monster jam t-shirt (that he specifically asked for), and .243 shells (ok, those were from Bud).

Before his birthday party got started, Nanie and Bada gave him their gift so he could open it without all the kids around, and so he could really focus on what the gift was (you know how crazy it gets when they open gifts with all their friends crowded around). They got him EXACTLY what he wanted -- a brand new .22 rifle, carrying case, King Ranch gun sock to protect it, and some shells. He LOVES it!!

This is the special cake that Aunt Kelli & Uncle Jason made for JD. It's a camo 2-layer, double chocolate fudge cake with buttercream in the middle and on the outside, then covered with chocolate fondant. Oh my gosh, it was soooooo yummy! Then they put the Hooey brand symbol on the top since our boys (Bud included) are big Hooey fans. I thought it turned out perfect!

 He gets all shy when everyone starts singing to him.

 

Those weren't tricky candles, but he had a hard time blowing them out!!

 

This is what Kelli, Jason, Ashton & Timmy got for JD. An 11x14 canvas print of JD and his prize buck so he can hang it up in his room. What an awesome gift idea. When JD opened it, he yelled out "Oh wow! This is cool!" He really got so excited about it - more excited than Kelli & I really expected. Now we just have to figure out where to hang it.

 

Papa and Nana gave him an old, vintage Army ammo box where he can store all his ammo. There was also some cool hunting stuff inside like a deer call and binoculars, among other things.

 

He also got 3 awesome deer hunting shirts from Amber, Mike and family.

He got some a couple of lego toy sets from some of his friends, an Academy gift card from Joe & Rosanne, cash from Gage, and a pair of cleats and Wii hunting game from Uncle Beau & Aunt Stacie.  He is a very loved and blessed little boy.

 



Here is JD with all his friends who came to the party.
Back row, left to right: Alex, Addison, Adrian, Connor, Kaden, Brady, Audriana, Ashton, Alex (Bud was standing there to block the light from the door.)
Front row, left to right: Austin, Brooks, Zane, Gage, Timmy, Case, JD, Collin, Ryan