A Whole Hand

One whole hand. That is how old my first born is now. This week he turned 5.

I think every morning I see him lately he just looks so much older. Today he actually sat and did a puzzle all by himself. He can get in and out of the van, opening and closing the doors, buckling, all by himself. From head to toe he can get dressed(as long as his pants aren't crumply or his socks on crooked) all by himself. He can clear his place from dinner all by himself. He can now ride a 3-wheeler by himself. So many little things...all.by.himself. I think I have to get used to that concept of all by himself. Maybe.

We had a great day planned. It was quite a whirlwind of activities and the day zoomed by.
Cameron woke up to the house decorated and lots of balloons to play with......well, okay for him they are there to pop. Any way he can.

We enjoyed lounging in our jammies and not rushing out the door before we went and ate a yummy breakfast with Grandma Roby. With donuts for dessert!

After school, Cameron and his cousin Isaac played and before we knew it Daddy, Haiden and his other cousin Teya were home and it was time to eat blueberry pancakes, sausage and juice for Cameron's birthday supper. His menu choices for night.
Of course there was time to open some presents.
Yes, more Rescue Heroes. We didn't even get a chance to open all the presents because we still had cake to get to and we had to be out of the door to go Bounce Party for church(a very timely activity for a birthday!). But there is always time for a wish.
(Side note...trying to get 4 children to eat, only having one open presents, eating cake and then trying to get out the door dressed, cleaned, bathroomed and not crying is a task not easily accomplished without sweating!)

Cameron wasted no time getting to all the inflatables, climbing up the ladder ropes, making it through obstacle courses and running from room to room...all by himself.

We finally made it home and Cameron had his first official sleepover with his cousins. I wasn't able to capture that on camera. My goal was to just get them all sleeping!!

Cameron---you amaze me every day. God has blessed you with another year above and beyond what your Dad and I could have even dreamed of. You are smart, inquisitive, loyal, healthy, strong, observant, and energetic. My first born baby, yet so grown up now.
One whole hand.
We love you sweet boy.

Happy Birthday, Haiden

My baby is 2.

The day you were born will forever be a memory that I can feel to the very core of me. Memories of the sounds, emotions, events of the day and the eager anticipation to know who God had fearfully and wonderfully made for your Daddy and I to raise for His glory are feelings that can never be replaced. To hear the words "it's a boy" made our little family complete. You were perfect. 7lbs, 11oz and 7:07. Haiden Christian.

This morning when you woke up you looked so big. This is how I felt, too.
Am I really 2 already!
We asked you whose birthday it was and you said "mine". And then when you got to open a present you said "mine" and all the balloons in the house you would point to and say "mine". I think you were excited to finally have a day of your own and not in the shadow of your big brother. You are so blessed to have all your grandpa's and grandma's, aunts and uncles and cousins so close. So on your birthday you had party #1 with the Vruggink's.

I get a party all to myself!
(I had to get pictures of your ever present bed head.)

When we sang happy birthday, you just looked at everybody and soaked it all in. I could see the marvel and wonder on your face of this new experience in life that was all for you. I just couldn't stop watching you. I wanted to sing it twice! You loved to play with your cousins and joined right in.


Mommy and Daddy can't explain the love we have for you words. They just wouldn't do it justice.

As you blew out your candles I made a wish for you. A wish for happiness that comes from knowing and loving Jesus. To be able to feel something different inside of you as you get older and do something with it.
You love trains, books, bockee(broccoli), teets(treats), your brother(even though sometimes you show that by bothering him to no end), your grandpa's, fruit, beans, riding 3-wheel already, toys that make noise or that your brother has, cookies from church, wrestling, "couch"(an old couch pillow that you must have as you watch your video before bed and feel the little strings hanging off of it), to color with markers and play with play-doh. You will come up to me and just want to be held and you pat my back as we often do to you.

Haiden Christian, a child of the King. May God richly bless you in this next year of growing, learning, exploring and changing. We love you, sweet boy.

Happy Birthday

Recap

Seeing as though most have done a snowy day post I thought I should jump on the bandwagon....a few days late. Having some extra time with the boys was so enjoyable, and Daddy got to join us for some of it, too!

Of course the 2 oldest ones had to get out and tackle the driveway. In the top of the picture you can kind of see Tor in a spray of snow from the blower.
Once he found the sidewalk, Cameron got to work!
It's amazing how kids don't seem to feel cold like adults. Cameron can spend hours outside and not be bothered by cold. This mommy and the little one watched from the warm indoors ;)

And then to have ANOTHER day at home was even more fun! So we stayed in our jammies and read books and played ;)

This picture is deceiving, actually. This sweet and peaceful moment lasted about 1 minute! HA!

While Haiden snoozed in the afternoon I actually got Cameron to sit with me and do some work on his letters! Yeah for this teacher mom!

We love snow days!