Watching little kids play basketball is awesome.

What is it about our kid pulling up his shirt organized sports that makes us smile?

What is it about a kid telling others what to do during warm up that makes us smile?

What is it about a little kid shooting a ball that makes us smile?
What is it about a kid running down a court after passing the ball to his teammate that makes us smile?


Oh, that's right.

THAT face makes us smile!

Someone is learning to read...

...and is pretty dang proud of himself!

It Feels Good to Turn 5!

In keeping with family tradition, the birthday boy was woken up at midnight to open his presents.





He was so excited to play with the new gifts, he was up by 7AM.

After a fun-filled, snowy winter wonderland birthday, Alexander blew out the candles on his brownie cake.

It really makes me laugh to think about how a kid who doesn't like brownies or cake, chose a brownie cake for his birthday!

He just likes blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy 5th Birthday, Alexander!

I'm going to try to type as fast as I can so I can post this at 12:56 - the exact time you were born. Well, that's the time the doctor lifted you out of my belly and you cried.

Let's see, what should you know about 5 year old self?

You're about 42" tall and 40 lbs (give or take).

You are in your second year of preschool. You know your letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. You are working on math equations with your dad and are able to do simple ones. You are working on reading with your mama. I can't tell if you are learning phonetically or visually, but we're figuring it out.

You love, love, love puzzles. And not small ones but only those that are 750 pieces or more.

You continue to be a train fanatic. When asked what you want to be when you grow up, you immediately answer "train conductor". Or "own a big hotel with a train museum".
Right now, our living room is covered in your latest GeoTrax train track creation.

For a kid who didn't start stringing words together until you were 2 1/2, you talk non-stop. And you talk fast. You ask a lot of questions.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

"What would happen if blah, blah, blah?"
"What if this happened blah, blah, blah?"
"Why did blah, blah, blah happen?"

You are curious and full of imagination. You have two imaginary friends - your cousins Mary and David. They go everywhere with us and when you get in trouble, you typically tell us, "Mary and David wanted to do it".

Your best friends are Addie and Logan.
And all four of your grandparents.

You say really funny things that makes us laugh outloud but are also very polite. You insist on using manners and will call out anyone who uses bad words.

Your favorite activity is swimming. Kid, you LOVE to swim.

You are playing basketball right now and I do see the same level of excitement.
Just as long as you're playing an indoor sport, I don't care which one you choose.

You are a picky eater.
You still take long naps (thank you).

You are thoughtful and caring of others around you and want to be the best helper ever.

Overall, you're a really laid back, easy going, easy to love, playful kid.

I have three minutes to wrap this up.

There are not enough words to tell you how much your Daddy and I love you.
You are our miracle.

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet little man.

We love you.

To the moon and back.

Snow Day!

What kid doesn't love a snow day?! There is simply something so magical to staying home, while snow falls all around you.

Yesterday, we stayed indoors and rested from the birthday party adventure.
But not today.

While Daddy hit the grocery store, Alexander and I hit the slopes.
I mean, the front yard.

Bundled up and ready to go!

Have I mentioned how grateful I am to have friends, with a son who is a few years older than mine? When it started snowing on Sunday, we realized we didn't a winter jacket! I had the boots (handmedowns), snow pants (ebay), and hat and gloves (on sale at Rite Aid).
But no snow jacket! Thankfully, our friends found one for Alexander, which should last him another two winters!

We enjoyed a snowball fight.

Built a snowman.


And then decided to call it quits when the snow started to fall heavily from the sky.

It sure was fun while it lasted!

A 5 year old's Bouncy House Birthday Party...with loads and loads of pictures.

For the first time, we took the birthday party to a location.
After attending a birthday party at a bouncy house a year ago, Alexander set his heart on having one of his own. With one phone call, it was done. We picked a pirate theme, sent out invitations, and couldn't believe how easy it was to put this year's party together.

It was SO nice to be able to worry about nothing more than making cupcakes the night before!



Sad faces for Jo-Jo, who couldn't be with us this year due to the weather.
But we did our best to carry on without our cupcake expert!

TA-DA!
We woke up on the day of the party with snow coming down with a fury!
But we were bound and determined to have this party so after much debate, we jumped in the car and headed out.


Within minutes pf arriving, the kids were in bouncy house heaven!










Adults even got in on the fun!

Auntie Kimmie and Alexander loved the big slide.


After an hour of jumping craziness, the kids were ready for cupcakes and presents!

We sang Happy Birthday to the cutest 5 year old I know!
And then the kids dove into cupcakes. Except the birthday boy.
He doesn't like cake but wanted everyone else to have a treat.





Who doesn't want a birthday throne!?


I love how happy this kid is.
But wait...there's more! We invited everyone back to the house for pizza and football games. Despite watching it snow ALL morning, when we got home, there wasn't much snow available but the kids sure gave it their best!

Bouncy House Slide - 1 Auntie Kimmie - 0

Eventually, the snow started up again so, like all good things, the party had to come to an end.

Thank you to all our friends and family who ventured the winter weather to share this day with Alexander.
At the end of the night, he said it was the best birthday ever.