Ryan is SIX

June 20, 2004 was Father's Day, just like today. I spent all day in labor and three hours pushing - Ryan was 9 lbs 4 oz with a gigantic head that was face-up instead of face-down. Once my doctor manipulated him a little bit, he finally graced us with his presence at 11:38pm. Mike was thrilled for his first child to be born on Father's Day. Barely, but he made it!

(Ryan - 1 week old)

This year, having a birthday on Father's Day meant that neither Ryan, nor Mike, would be exclusively special all day long, as they deserve. And I couldn't have that.

So we pretended yesterday was Ryan's birthday. I gave him the choice of celebrating yesterday or today and, of course, he chose the earliest day possible.

I repeated the tradition of filling Ryan's room with balloons while he was sleeping Friday night. Jason has loved playing with them as they've floated around our house all weekend.


After waffles for breakfast (his choice), he opened some gifts.


I wrapped up a fish bowl and announced that we were finally getting him a pet. He was so excited he could hardly stand it.




Then my mom picked him up to go shopping for a pair of "Nike swoosh basketball shoes." They are the second pair of Nikes Ryan has owned (the first were size 3-6 months - thanks Auntie DutchMac!) but these will officially reign as Ryan's most expensive shoes to date.


He felt like a big shot wearing them to his first basketball game yesterday. Such a great way for a six year old to spend his birthday!


After the game, we swam and bar-b-qued with my mom and Mike's brother, then had a giant cookie cake for dessert. Ryan stayed up way too late and went to bed exhausted with a huge sugar high. Just the way a six year old birthday should end.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!