Ronnie Turns 5!!!

I cannot believe our baby boy turned 5... We started the day in Duluth. The pool at the hotel opened at 8:00 am - and we were there by 8:05! Maama and Ronnie played in the pool squirting each other with squirt guns and the double barrelled super soaker for 1 1/2 hours! I had to tell them twice it was time to go - not sure who was having more fun!

After we got dressed, we went to the video game room at the hotel and Ronnie played a few games. Then, we headed out to a Swedish restaurant where we met Beth and members of her family for brunch. It was DELICIOUS! And, the restaurant staff sang a birthday song to Ronnie in Swedish. It was pretty cool.

We left around noon and headed home. Wayne, Sue, Nick and Anders were in the Cities after a week at the cabin. They came over for dinner with Kiki and we had a barbecue and birthday brownie.

On Sunday, we held Ronnie's birthday party at the Nickelodeon Adventures Park in the Mall of America. Ronnie was told he could invite 7 of his close friends to his Bakugan themed party - and he invited Aidan, Mickolas, Adam, Owen, Spencer, Jojo and Morris. The boys met us at the food court and we ate lunch, opened presents, and had a DQ ice cream cake. Once that was done - we headed downstairs and went on rides. We hit the Sideswipers, Diego's Magic Bus, carousel, Pepsi Orange Streak (roller coaster) and Wonderpets ride. The kids had a GREAT time.

Several of the parents joined us - so it was easy to keep track of the kids. I also bought them each a red Bakugan shirt so that they would match and be easy to see/find.

At the end of the party, we stopped at Leggoland. Most of the parents took the kids home at that point. Ronnie shopped, and spent his birthday money on some Toy Story Leggos and some Star Wars Leggo guys.

Maama, Ronnie and I harassed Doug until he agreed to go on the Rock Bottom roller coaster - this horrible thing that takes you straight up and straight down in a small car... he did it - and loved it. Maama, Ronnie and I also went on the log ride - which Ronnie DID NOT like. Not sure how old he will be before I am able to get him on that ride again.

It was a great day - and we were all exhausted when we got home. Ronnie had fun - which is what mattered most. I just can't believe he is already 5. He sure is a special guy. We love him dearly!!!


Playing a game at the hotel.


Ronnie and Maama outside of the hotel in Duluth.


Ronnie and McKinley at brunch (which Ronnie kept calling "broom")

Lindsey and Ronnie. She is helping him open his birthday card.

Beth, Lindsey, Brian and Christie bought Ronnie this cool plate for his birthday. You can arrange the food so that it makes a hat, hair, eyebrows, a beard a mustache, etc. It's pretty cool!! We've used it a bunch of times already.

Ronnie is officially 5 - it's 7:18 pm on August 7th.

Ronnie with his birthday brownie - the Jersey Dahlbergs, Maama, Kiki, Doug and Lauri all sang to him - which he loved!

Anders wrestling with Ronnie.

Nick playing Leggos with Ronnie.

The birthday party - eating lunch. From left around the table - Jojo, Aidan, Owen, Adam, Mickolas, Ronnie and Morris. Spencer is there behind Owen.

The Bakugan Crew! They are all wearing Dan masks.

The birthday crew... Spencer, Jojo, Adam, Owen, Morris, Ronnie, Mickolas and Aidan. They are all GREAT kids.

Maama and Ronnie with his Bakugan DQ ice cream cake. YUM!

The boys posing with Sponge Bob Squarepants.

Ronnie and Adam ride on the Sideswiper.

All of the boys went on Diego's Magic Bus by themselves!

Ronnie wanted to ride on the dragon - since he was the birthday boy - he got his wish!

Lauri and Ronnie on the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster. Ronnie loved it!

Ronnie and Spencer on the Wonderpets ride.

Owen, Morris, Mickolas and Aidan get ready to ride the Wonderpets ride.

Doug caught a picture of us coming down the log ride. Lauri and Ronnie screamed on this one, and Ronnie got off the ride saying "I seriously do NOT like that ride. I am never going on that again." It was hard not to laugh, because he was using animated hand gestures to get his point across.

The Rock Bottom roller coaster that Doug was harassed in to going on.

Doug liked the ride!

The day ended at Leggoland with Toy Story Leggos, Star Wars guys and a sword (of course). What a great way to end the day!