Caden's 6th Birthday Celebration

We do things a little different in our family. For Christmas, we very much drive home the fact to the boys that it is NOT their birthday. It is Jesus's birthday, and we do things that Jesus would want for his birthday. Santa brings one family gift and then mom and dad get one gift per boy and their siblings give them a gift(2 gifts total for ea boy). It was really hard the first year, we felt like total cheapskates! Now, three years later, we think it is a wonderful gift we have given them. They know the TRUE meaning of Christmas, EVERY year. Well...come their birthday, we spoil them rotten. They basically get ANYTHING they want.(Until they realize how much more is out there!) Caden couldn't think up anything that he wanted to do, but wanted water. We decided to take him to a water park in South Dakota. We left the babies with a sitter, and just the three older boys went. We drove the 2 hours east to Rapid City and asked Caden where he wanted to eat lunch. He said anywhere with ice cream. We took them to TGI Fridays. Caden ordered chicken strips and for a side wanted carrots with ranch and cucumbers (I told him he could ask for ANYTHING he wanted, the waitress was shocked that was what he picked) He was in Hog Heaven eating away and making deals with the boys so they could have some of his cucumbers. So cute! Then he got this huge ice cream sundae, which he ate all of. We took him to Toys R Us and let him pick one of his own presents out. He picked a suped up Nerf Gun. Then we headed to the water park where he ran and played and ran and played. (As a side note, my heart broke for the little kids that were overweight and couldn't climb the stairs to get to the slides. I watched kids climb on their hands and knees up them, and then stop short and take a smaller slide. So sad! What a disservice their parents have done!) Then when we were done he wanted some ice cream. We went to Cold Stone, and told him he could have the biggest size he wanted. He chose the large, of course, and told the girl he wanted as much as he could get. She had that bowl over flowing with strawberry ice cream, sprinkles, and gummy bears. He ate the WHOLE thing. Never complained a bit! He just said thank you a hundred times! We love our little sweetheart. We call him junk gut because he can put the ice cream down! He loves his ice cream. He told us this was his best birthday surprise yet! He is so greatful for us. He has no interest in hugging most others, but he would hug Chet and I all day if we let him. He has a heart the size of Texas and is the toughest little teddy bear ever. We couldn't imagine our lives without this little sweetheart!!! Now it is killing him waiting until next week when he gets to open his presents (we had to go over this weekend to miss the Sturgis Week in Rapid City) We're having a break the fast next week and having over all the families that can come from our ward, and throwing in a little cake and ice cream celebration for him. He is so proud to be turning 6, and to be entering Kindergarten soon! We love you Cada-Babe!!!