Look who's "almost 6".

We had the opportunity to make a quick trip to Illinois for Kelly's end of 

the year recital.  I alway love it when I'm able to make one of my yearly trips to 

coincide with recital time.

I'm excited to make a post about it but I'm waiting on pictures so that will be in a post soon I hope.

Even though we were there for just a few days, most of the time was taken up with activities

regarding the recital.  However on the last day we scooped the kids up and crammed as much fun

in 24 hours that we could.

We got a hotel room and had a slumber party.  We surprised Brody with balloons,

a banner and presents when he woke up the next morning.  We won't be there on his actual

birthday next week.  Luckily his Aunt Melissa and cousin Dylan are going to fly up to celebrate

with him.

The theme of his party this year is Octonauts so I tried to make his "fake" party as he calls it

to be the same.  

We had breakfast downstairs and went swimming first then upstairs for presents.

Most of his gifts were Octonauts but we also gave him an outfit which he'll open on

his "real" birthday (nothing exciting about clothes for little boys).  We also got the book

Our Great Big Backyard written by Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna.

Makenzie promptly read it to him.  It's a great book about exploring America.

The kids asked me to take a picture of them blowing a kiss to their Florida family and

Brody wanted a picture of his favorite gift because the Vegimals are his favorite Octonauts.

Thanks Aunt Carrie.

Afterwards it was back downstairs in the dining room for cake.

Brody was so sweet and offered other random people in the room a slice of his birthday cake.

Finishing our celebration, we decided to drive to a local lake with several playgrounds. 

 Due to a heat wave of 96 degrees and several bee incidents we changed course 

and came back to the hotel for a little tv and hotel bed horsing around.  

This is the visit that Poppy introduced Makenzie to the funny papers.  She had never seen

them before.  How times have changed.

Then it was time for dinner.  We let the birthday boy pick.  Pizza Hut it was then on

to Dairy Queen for dessert.

Brody finished his ice-cream quickly and then helped me with mine.

Happy "fake" birthday Brody Bear.  Nana and Poppy love you very much and

we're so glad we got to be with you for the 6th birthday.