Avery turned six on Friday. Six? How is that possible? The math adds up, but… wow, they aren’t kidding when they say “the days are long, but the years are short.” This year Avery lost four teeth, started school, and learned to read and do math. His favorite subjects in school are math, science, and recess. He loves Legos, building, science projects, riding bikes, and camping. You wouldn’t know it from the way he behaves at home, but he is quiet and reserved at school, and follows the rules. He’s athletic, but not that sporty. He loves to build and create, but his coloring and handwriting have a ways to go. Avery is inquisitive, mischievous, silly, and full of energy. He is such a sweet little boy!

Since the day I found out I was having a boy, I’ve been looking forward to throwing a pirate party. I love sailing (even though I don’t get to do it often enough), and Jonathan was in Sea Scouts and rowed on the crew team, so I knew at some point or another, it was bound to happen. Hey, at this rate, with three boys, we may end up having several. When Avery told me he wanted to have a pirate party this year, I was all over it! I started pinning things on Pinterest, and before long we were constructing cardboard pirate ships and painting a plank. Not to toot my own horn, but I think the party came together quite nicely – and the weather even cooperated!

Captain Avery

The snacks



Cupcakes!

They started the party out by getting tattoos, pirate gear, and making treasure maps

Dalton

Brianna

Brooklyn

Then it was time for a little “pin the tail on the croc”

Next up: snacks and cake



Then we snapped a quick group shot outside

Before making the kids walk the plank (with style)

Dalton

Hayden

Benjamin

Hamza

Finally it was time for a good ‘ole pirate battle! Arrggh!





Mayhem!

Avery with three of his buddies from kindergarden, Adam, Gideon & Hamza





Lindsay & Silas

Time to open presents

Gideon & Avery

Silas walking to Avery

Some shots of the boys with their mustaches




Here are a few shots from Avery’s actual birthday, a couple days earlier. I wish I’d gotten a picture of it, but it snowed several inches that morning. Avery must have wished for snow for his birthday.



Avery brought cookies to school for his birthday. There was one leftover, and he saved it and brought it home for Kieron! How sweet is that?! Melts my heart! Here’s Kieron enjoying it.

Waiting for cupcakes

My girlfriend told me this would happen. About a year ago I was telling her about Jonathan’s obsession with the perfect cup of espresso. She told me he would end up roasting his own. Then a couple of weeks ago a large box arrived from Sweet Maria’s. He’d finally done it. Fortunately, it hasn’t been the time drain I was afraid it might be, and Jonathan has done a good job cleaning up after himself. He’s even gotten Avery involved, and now Avery loves to roast coffee! Here are some pics from the first batch:

The green beans


Avery the roasting apprentice