Six years of crazy fun and love

Oliver turned 6 last week! It's so hard to believe (cliche, I know- but so TRUE!). My mom documented the fun, I took a few shots of the preparations.


We have this old Frigidaire in our entryway that we're using for a pantry until Andrew gets to that project.  The idea is to eventually have a floor-to-ceiling message center/pantry here, probably the mysterious greenish grayish of the stairway.  For now I just have fun piling things (related to our current season or event) on top of the old fridge.  Oliver chose a native American theme for his party, so I finally put to use all those pheasant and goose feathers from uncle Luke.  The antlers were in our garage when we bought the farm, the 6 is from my dad's line truck at work, the gold book is titled 'Indian Paint', and the teal book was a gift to Oliver from us this year- Billy and Blaze.  Oh how I loved Billy and Blaze when I was younger.  The illustrations are such simple sketches, they almost seem achievable to a child (they aren't, but it felt good to think they could be). 

Chief  designed and drew 8 of these invitations.  The gruesome creativity is startling.

When I told Oliver what I had written in the invitation, he said, "Probably be feathers?!  There will definitely be feathers."  I had pinned a spaghetti feather making tutorial on Pinterest around Thanksgiving time, so I pulled that up and we got busy making and painting feathers.  Such a fun and simple craft.



When I googled Indian cake some pretty interesting things popped up, but this teepee-in-a-cone cake was so awesome I had to do it.  My mom and cousin made them pretty with the confetti sprinkles.

And there's the chief himself, along with the brave cousin Levi.

Oliver had such cute and willing helpers when it was time to open gifts.

Auntie Jessica mediated a meeting between G and baby Daphne.  Georgi loves babies...like that feeling you get when you think you could squeeze a baby until she pops?  Georgi will act on that feeling if left on her own.

Oliver donned a flight suit and helmet after the gift opening- a present from Luke, Anna, Isaac, and Jess.

Somebody's had a little too much party.

Not this girl.  My little papoose was all smiles when uncle Isaac gave her a teepee.

This little dude brings such joy to our lives.  I've been trying to explain to him how God made him oldest in our family for a reason, because He knew that Oliver could be a good leader and protecter and teacher for his sisters.  That's maybe a lot to lay on the shoulders of a six year old, but I want him to know he is equipped with all it takes to do what Christ created him for.  As of now, I recite the Fruits of the Spirit surprisingly often, pausing at virtues that would help him in his attitude toward the girls...I'm basically pausing after each one of them, if you're wondering.