The Carlson Family: Carter's 9th Birthday!

I know I say this every year, but I can't believe how fast these kids are growing up! Carter celebrated his 9th birthday in February! He had his day planned out and that included donuts for breakfast. We don't buy a dozen donuts very often so they kids were thrilled!

Carter opened a few presents before heading off to school....

Hailey insisted on wrapping up a bunch of small pieces of scrap fabric and giving them to Carter, because I'm sure that's what every 9 year old boy wants :) Carter was really cute about it, and acted really excited after opening each one.

Bryan found this really cool old metal box with tools in it and gave it to him. Carter loves old things like this and I'm sure he'll treasure it forever!

In the "Hidden Cupcake" this year Carter got some money to spend. He has been asking for quite some time to go to Smith & Edwards because he knows they have old military stuff there. About a week after his birthday we made it down there and he picked out a toy cap gun.

No birthday is complete without some legos! Bryan and I gave him a cabin set, and he had it built in no time!

After breakfast and presents Carter headed to school. Hailey and I went and ate lunch with him there. I was surprised that Carter was excited to show us around, and he wasn't embarrassed by us. I'm sure my years are numbered before he hits those pre-teen years, so I will take it when I can!

We showed up before class ended to share treats with his class, and then right after school he had karate, where we shared more treats! It really was a pretty normal Tuesday with all of his activities so we had to plan some other fun things during the week since it couldn't all be done on his birthday.


That weekend Grammy and Papa came over for dinner and we tried making Cake Pops. Carter was going to help me make them, but lasted about ten minutes and I was on my own!

Carter's friend birthday party this year was a scout theme. He invited all of his friends that are scouts and had them wear their scout shirts.

For his invitation I just printed up some little scout hankerchiefs and put the info inside...

Each kid got a Booklet and were able to pass off awards and add gold stickers when they had done so...

Each kid got to take home a candy bar and balloon with the cub scout motto on it...

They got to decorate cupcakes for their "Baking Badge"

Putting together the scout motto for their "Word Badge"

They played several games but this one was my favorite. Its called "Cat Tail" and they had to find hidden pieces of yarn in the room and make a cats tail on their teammate. The longest tail won. It was pretty funny to watch!

Who's is longer?...

Earning their "Fitness Badge"...

Bryan helped them pass off their "Knot Badge" and taught them a rescue knot, and the handcuff knot. It was pretty funny because of course the boys were planning to go home and try the handcuff knot on their siblings :)