My sweet ginger-haired Imp is turning 8 this week. I can hardly believe that my baby boy is possibly THAT old!! Where has the time gone? I HATE that time is whipping past so quickly. I feel as though my time with the kids at home is slipping through my fingers. It's always bittersweet to celebrate a birthday for the kids. While I'm excited and happy for all the new things unfolding for them as they age, I'm sad at all the doors that close behind them. Although I *DO* admit, I was not sad to see the diapers go. Or the bottles. Or the tantrums. Ok, so there are definitely some MAJOR perks to aging children.
Today was his birthday celebration. It included 2 friends from school and his sisters. After last years birthday party, and the chaos and carnage that broke out in my house during it, I vowed that I'd never, EVER have that many young boys in my house again. NEVER. And I didn't forget it. How could I? I almost needed therapy after that disaster. And the principal thinks that *MY* son is highstrung and impulsive. Not playing the biased and blinder-ridden mother here, but during that whole event, it became abundantly clear that my son was absolutely no different than any other boys. Heck, HE was bewildered during the whole thing. He didn't know what to do when physical destruction of our house started.
Anyway, his party today included 2 of his friends coming over for pizza and cupcake decorating (my little guy is quirky and doesn't like the traditional cake thing). As you can see there was a great abundance of icing, candies and sprinkles (that even though I've swept AND vacuumed, I still get on my feet as I walk across the middle level of my house). Then we dressed warmly and headed out for the next part of the party.
Dog-sledding.
How freakin' cool is that?!
Well, I can honestly say it was *WAY* cool. I think this was *THE* single coolest (physically AND descriptively) party we've ever hosted. Folks that we know from when Teen was just a baby have a fleet of dogs and sleds (which must be pointed out that the Dogmaster MAKES his sleds. FANTASTIC work he does!). They graciously accepted our request of taking the kids sledding, and did a FANTASTIC job!!
The dogs are amazing. As we trudged our way from the house down into and across the fields, we could hear the yelping and excitement from the dogs. They are beautiful and powerful (and loud!) animals. They take their job of sled pulling very Seriously, and LOVE to get to do it.
The Birthday Boy went first. He eagerly put his helmet on and hopped into the sled.
While he and his Daddy waited (Daddy had to hold the 'brake' down so the incredibly excited dogs that were being hooked up didn't take off with the sled before they were all attached and ready), the Dogmaster and Dogqueen hooked 6 dogs up to the sled.
And then they were OFF! Being the first run, Imp went SUPER fast!!! He LOVED it and came back VERY excited about it all.
Then it was time for the girls to go. Imp quickly got out of the sled and his sisters clamoured in. All the while Imp was giving 'pointers' on what to expect.
And they're OFF!!!!
While the girls were off on their trip around the circuit, boys must be boys, right?! Wrestling. That's where it's at.
The girls arrived back - dogs still raring to go. The other boys took their turns - and loved every second of it as well (I won't post pictures of other people's kids - so sorry - no photo diary of them).
By the end of the kids trips, the dogs were definitely tired. They pulled them up and relieved them of their pulling duties. They did FANTASTIC!!!
THEN . . . they brought out a smaller sled (kid sized for the dogmaster and dogqueens prince's) and hooked up another dog (that hadn't been included with the runs on the big sled). Again, the Birthday Boy went first. He was nervous to know that he was 'driving' on his own, but he did it - and did a fantastic job!!
He thought that driving that sled himself was the BEST part!!
Then Banshee had a turn on her own. Unlike her brother, she had NO hesitation!
And just because *I* think they're so cute, I'm posting this picture as well.
And this one too.
And here's one of some gift opening. This face right here is why Imp got his name. Look at that smirk . . . THAT is the smirk of a kid about to get into all kinds of mischief. That is the smirk that graced his face for most of his toddler and preschool years. Don't you love it?!
I'm sure that Imp (and the boys and the girls) will all be talking about this for days to come. It was a perfect day for a birthday celebration.
I leave you with a final picture of the one dog that REALLY caught my heart . . . he was HUGE, but such a teddy bear. Look at him HOWL!
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