Finally Five!!

Where has the time gone, my baby boy is Five!! Yes, today he turned a "whole hand"!! Last night we prepared treats for his class...Race cars made of small boxes of candy, miniature candy bars, and rolos. He was very excited to hand them out at school today. The theme this year for his birthday was the army. The only thing he really wanted for his birthday was a tank for his little green army men that he plays with ALL the time. Last night after the kids had gone to bed I slipped draft papers under their doors..... It read:

SOLDIER,

YOU HAVE BEEN DRAFTED TO CAMP DENNING. YOU ARE TO REPORT TO BASE CAMP AT 1630 HOURS. YOU WILL EXECUTE A SERIES OF MILITARY MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE CAMP AND AS YOU COMPLETE EACH, YOU WILL RISE IN RANK UNTIL YOU HAVE EARNED THE CAMPS HIGHEST AND MOST CELEBRATED RANK, THE BIRTHDAY CALL.

I had the house completely transformed into a military base and everything was labeled (Barracks, Base camp, etc.). Once they reported to base camp, they were directed to their Barracks to change out of their civilian attire and into camp issued uniforms.

After which they reported to the enlistment desk. I played Sergeant...They had to sign a camp waiver, waiving their civilian rights and promising to abide by all the camp rules and promising to obey their Sergeant. They also received their I.D. tags.This one was more than happy to sign up (she had no idea what was coming).After recruiting it was time for dinner in the Mess hall. They were served dinner in pie tins (closest I could come to a mess kit). I loved how we got to just plop their food in a dish, and no utensils needed. Fried chicken, rolls, corn, and grapes, with an ice cold soda to wash it down!After dinner it was off to inspections where they all got camp tattoos. And then they reported back to base camp. Chase showing the way...

This is where it got really fun for me, he he he. As I inspected, I paced back and forth with my clipboard in hand and let them know of their first mission. A good soldier is able to think quickly so they were tested on these skills. I gave them each a name that they had to answer too. Kelsey's name was Freshman, Chase-Birthday Boy, and Sadi-Sassy(fitting right?). They had to answer me by calling me drill Sergeant and if they didn't they had to do 5 push ups (Don't worry I did not abuse this). They had to answer questions like what is the 5th letter of the alphabet, etc.Mission 2. Operation Shootout. They had to shoot a still target to acquire points. First though was a trip to the weapons closet to have a gun issued to them. I just used Nerf guns that we already had.This was their still target. Pretty mad artistic ability right? Don't laugh!They had to unload and re-load their guns while hiding behind the brush (couch) and when I called them by name they had to pop up from behind their cover and shoot the target. This time I called all of them...Chase loved this one can you tell?Next up was rescuing soldiers who had gone MIA, because no good soldier leaves a man behind. I had hidden 10 army men and they had to rescue them and return them to camp. They were told a good soldier would know where the "hot" spots were to find them. (Microwave, oven, dryer..get it "hot" spots). Somehow I missed getting any pictures of this game. Mission 4: Mine game. Often times the battlefront can be a hazardous place, covered with mines. Their mission was to cross this battlefield and come out uninjured.

For each row of land mines they were asked a series of questions. They chose a mine to stand on for the correct answer. If they were incorrect, I told them they has lost a limb (arm/leg). Then for the next question they would have to stand on one leg, or hold their arm behind their back. Sadi was sweating it here, she had already lost a leg.By the end of this they were all legless I think. Poor Sadi lost every limb!Mission 5. Learn how to provide proper medical care. I recruited Officer D.A.D. to help with this one. He was playing the part of a wounded soldier who had been injured on the battlefield. Notice the bullet holes..Their job was to assess his injuries and bandage his wounds before discharging him. They were armed and ready with a first aid kit I had packed with all kinds of bandages.They did a great job with this one. I laugh now because Sadi even bandaged his little cuts from shaving on his face. Here he is being discharged from the infirmary.After all the missions were complete they marched back to camp repeating after me:

I don't know but I've been told

(Repeat)

Someone here is five years old

(Repeat)

Let's say goodbye to 1 through 4

(Repeat)

He won't see those anymore!!

(Repeat)

Sound off 1-2

Sound off 3-4

Sound off 1-2-3-4!!

Back at camp they were awarded their medals and saluted. It was now time for presents. You know I wasn't going to drop the whole theme right? So I had wrapped his presents in explosive paper!He was thrilled to finally have a tank for his army men.He got alot of really nice things. New race cars, some planes, and a new superhero he had been wanting.After presents, it was time for cake. His very own edible tank!I can't believe he is five!! Making a wish!

As I tucked him into bed tonight he said he wished it could be his birthday again tomorrow...aww! I love you Chase!