Andrew Turns 10!

On Thursday of last week we packed our bags and headed to Pell City for Andrew's Birthday Extravaganza. After all, you only turn 10 once, right? We had one continuous party from Thursday through Monday! There were many surprises in store for Andrew this year.
Surprise #1 -Andrew's BFF, Spencer, went with us to Pell City- He was thrilled!

First stop-Meemaw and Poppie's house. We had pizza, oreo cookie dessert and fruit pizza for our celebration. The kids had a great time running around with cousin, Abby, and spending some time with MeeMaw and Poppie.

Friday morning, Joey and I began early on the cake. This year Andrew had a specific request and Joey and I were determined to make it happen. Andrew loves Mindstorm and has been building lego robotics since Christmas when he received his first set. The brain or brick, as they call it, would be the model for the cake.

We worked diligently and finished this cake in a record 2 hours, if that! I had already baked the cakes so that took a lot of time off our assembly process. Joey sliced the cake so that the cake was perfectly rectangular while I mixed the fondant and added the color.

It came together perfectly!

We were very pleased with the results and Andrew was ecstatic!

Good friend, Gail, came from Texas to join in the celebration. She brought this fabulous edible arrangement with her, well not, from Texas, but she ordered it so that when she landed in B'ham she just drove and picked it up. It was awesome!

It rained all morning, but cleared up in the afternoon and then it was time for some serious sea doo action!

Andrew and Spenc were so cool!

We had a great time riding around the lake!

Friday night brought surprise #2- Andrew's very own, personal shrimp dinner. The rest of us had hamburgers while he feasted on 1 lb of his favorite delicacies, shrimp!

I can't believe my little man is 10!

Surprise #3- He got another Mindstorm, the upgraded model so that he can further his robotics skills! Now he will have two brains, muh hu hwa hwa hwa! Thank you, Mimi and Bibi!

Surprise #4- A mountain bike! Andrew has been in need of a bike and he really wanted one with gears. This one has 21 and he is very excited about it! It was a real trick to get it to Pell City without him knowing it but thanks to good neighbors who will allow us to use their garage, great friends who have business trips down south and fabulous family teamwork--we made it work, and Andrew never knew. Thank you, Mr. Ronnie, Jason, Dale and Unc!

Friday night the kids spent outside with glow sticks and bracelets.

My BIG 10 year old! The last 10 years have been a wild and exciting ride and worth every moment. I remember when he was born; the first thing out of my mouth: "Is he real?" I remember how I felt as the tears streamed down my face when I first brought him home, and now he is double digits. Andrew Thompson--I love you beyond words!!! I am excited about all that God has for you and I am privileged to be your mother. We are so proud of you.
Happy Birthday, my little man!

The rest of the birthday celebration to be continued...