And the Party Continues

Birthdays around this joint are a big deal.

Like a 3 day big deal!

So we continued the party on Monday night.

Cupcakes with best friends!

Dear Anden,

I hope that you had a super duper fabulous birthday!  You are such a blessing to our lives.  I love you MORE than you'll ever comprehend.  You have grown up SO much this past year.  You amaze me each day with your highly intelligent questions and negotiation skills (sometimes this isn't a good thing! lol).   You're always thinking of something or scheming up something.  You're determined and driven.  You have conquered everything you have attempted.  I love that you never give up.  When you slightly crashed on your new bike yesterday, you didn't let it deter you.  You told me "Mommy I have to ride back down to that jump on the sidewalk.  I know I can do it.  I know I won't fall this time."  I watched you in awe as you confidently took off down the sidewalk.  And then as you proceeded to successfully go over the jump about 6 times before you came back beaming with that HUGE grin on your face.  I'm so proud of you buddy! 

I also adore your witty funny personality.  I was lucky enough to be your church teacher for most of this year.  Yes, you were definitely my most "challenging" student! lol  But I loved observing you in social and church situations.  You are clearly a leader and definitely the class comedian.  Within seconds, you can command the attention of everyone in a room; whether children or adults.

Lastly, I completely cherish our quiet moments together.  I love that you let me snuggle with you, dance with you, read to you, hug you and hold your hand.  I love that you know "magic mommy kisses" will fix any wound.  But most important, I love how you love me.  When you softly say those 4 words at night "Mommy I love you", it mends my heart and tired soul and carries me on to the next day.

Love -

Your Lucky Mommy

Birthday Boy

Sunday Morning an excited little (BIG) boy came pouncing down the stairs!

In the same clothes as yesterday.

He knew he was a celebrity today.

Therefore multiple days of same clothes are fully acceptable.

Taylee forgot there was a birthday occurring

after she found a rogue tube of lip gloss

and indulged in her moment of pure bliss.

I told Anden he could pick whatever he wanted for breakfast.

He voted Denny's.

So I told him to pick again.

Mango Smoothies it is! 

Present Time!!

Another treasure hunt led him outside...

He jumped on and sped away!

Then he took a quick bubble break

While the "baby" training wheels were being removed.

Now it was time to really test it out!

The bike passed the test!

He LOVES it! 

Then we threw on church clothes,

while still sweating with red cheeks,

and rushed to church.

After church, we let the BIG 5 yr old skip his nap! :-)

And ride his bike more!

Then we headed to dinner.

When I asked where he wanted to go to dinner,

he excitedly proclaimed "SUSHI!"

Geez, is he 15?

So I "helped" him alter his choice.

He then picked Olive Garden.

That is until we got there.

And then he switched it to Red Robin.

It's just yet another risk of letting a 5 yr old pick his own meal!

He proudly exclaimed to the server that it was in fact his BIRTHDAY!

When she asked how old, he told her FIVE!

Then when she came back with the food

he brilliantly started his negotiations.

Anden: How many balloons am I going to get this year?

Server:  You can have TWO!

Anden: Well last year when I was here for my birthday I got 4 balloons. 

So that means I should get 5 balloons this year.

Server:  .....stunned silence....

Parents:  **LAUGHTER**

Anden:  **BEAMING SMILE**

Server:  Wow, well um I guess I'll see what I can do.

Clearly Anden won that round.

What a fun day!

WE LOVE YOU ANDEN!!