Mark turned 6

I finally got around to printing and downloading some pictures off our camera. Sometimes we get so caught up in the digital world that we forget that we have to do a few more steps. We use to just develop the pictures. Now we have to download them and develop them. I guess there are lots of positives for the digital camera idea but now I've gone on and on about something so minor...

Mark turned 6 this year. I just read some of my old blogs and it seems like a lifetime ago that he just turned 5. This last year has been busy but fun to watch them grow and change.

One of my favorite memories of when I turned 6 was the big balloons that my parents and Dad's cousin (Lloyd Bartel) put up all over the wall. I couldn't help myself I had to put some 6's on the wall too.

Mark entered school this year. He entered the world of star wars, Wii, leapster, computers and so much electronics. He's mimicking his play with what he watches. Over all, 6 just seems like a different age. We have to limit the DIGITAL world that he lives in to ensure his brain is challenged and developing in other areas. I would say to balance the digital world we have our craft time as another huge part of our week ( which I don't want to see him ever loose). I love watching these guys create things...sure it's a big mess but that's all part of the fun in crafts. He best reaction for any of his gifts were between the big box of Pearler Beads and the case of tape!! Oh don't get me wrong he loved all of the gifts but those were the funniest to watch him open!! Yep, you got it, Tape. This kid can go through a roll a tape a week if he could. Any craft he makes, it's not complete until he's got tape on some part of it or completely all over it!! He could be a true Red/Green kind of kid if I didn't know him better!!

Mark's birthday party this year was only 5 friends. keep it simple.

They had a MARIO Wii party. A little tournament. Taking turns playing Mario, choosing tracks and racing. They coloured Mario character pictures and watched each other race. The kids seemed to love it. I loved it, super easy!

Mark also loves models. He got a model car for this birthday and a model airplane. Obviously a bit of help was required from Dad but the boys here sat down to work and built the car. He absolutely loves it. I wasn't sure at first, giving a boy a car and telling him it's too fragile to play with...but he gets it. It sits on his shelf and he just admires it. The airplane on the other hand, has been flown a quite a few times in the park. We had to go to the hobby shop to get a new elastic band for the airplane. You should have seen him...I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head...he was overwhealmed with excitement...so much to look at, so many options...too bad it's all too much money. I think I know where we'll be shopping this christmas!!

Thanks everyone for celebrating Mark's 6th birthday with him!!!