Birthday Celebrations

Well if there's one thing that summer does to me, it certainly gets me behind on my blogging!  I took pictures off the camera today only to find that I had never blogged about the kids' birthday party!  Whoops!  I am hoping to get several catch up posts up this week.

We celebrated each of the kids' birthdays separately on their actual birthday with balloons and streamers to greet them in the morning, a special meal out, and presents from the family.  Between their birthdays we have their party with family friends and family members.  It's a long few weeks, but the kids have an absolute blast and get spoiled rotten.

We decided to give the kids their shared big gift on Brian's birthday so they could enjoy it for more of the summer.  It's safe to say it was a great surprise that they both love and have enjoyed this summer...a trampoline!!  Brian wanted cookies, not a cake for his birthday, but he agreed to have a cake for Lilah.  He wanted to eat at Noodles & Co.  For Lilah's birthday we had strawberry cupcakes made by one of my preschool parents, and cookies that Lilah wanted for Brian.  They are so good to each other!  She wanted to eat at First Watch.

Oh the Snackeez...

The joint birthday party was held at the park like every year.  It RAINED a lot!  But we made the best of it.  The rain held off for the first hour, so the kids all got to play.  We called them in for presents and cake just as the rain started, so everyone was in the shelter while it poured.  Most of the guests cleared out once we finished the presents, but a few of our close friends stuck around to play in the wet shelter.  The kids had a blast running around in the puddles!  That's what so great about kids.  They don't even realize that rain at an outdoor party is a bad thing.  They have fun no matter what! 

Dancing in the rain!

This was apparently hysterical.  Let's show our butts when we are supposed to smile!

My SIX Year Old

Dear Brian,

You are SIX!  What an exciting age!  You are READING and loosing teeth!  You are sooooo into Legos and art and it's so much fun to see what you create.  You talk...a lot.  We have worked hard on that, so I try to be thankful.  You ask a million questions all day long.  You want to learn EVERYTHING there is to learn.

This year you have chosen to have a Toy Story birthday party and you are so excited!  You made sure Lauren knew that your cake should NOT touch your sister's cake like in past years.  You had a great time picking out party supplies the other day!  Daddy tells you all the time that you are management material :)

This morning when you found your birthday decorations, you were so excited!  You haven't stopped checking your new Lego watch all day...trying to figure it out.  I love it!

You have had a big year.  You finished Kindergarten (and did a wonderful job by the way)!  Next year you'll be back at Ryland with your preschool teacher in 1st grade!  Time flies at lightning speed that's for sure.

You have been released by the developmental pediatrician!  She just shook her said and grinned when she saw you and heard about all of your progress.  YOU are already a success story at the age of SIX.  That's something to be super proud of!

This next year I wish many things for you.  I hope that you continue to make new friends and develop the great relationships you already have with your buddies.  I hope that you will continue to improve in speech.  You work so hard and have made great progress!  I hope you will continue to love school and learning and reading.  It's awesome how much pride you take in this area!  I hope you will continue to be proud of who you are because you are just amazing!  Finally, I hope you will continue to be THE BEST big brother there could ever be.  Your sister can be such a little snot sometimes and you just love, love, love her.   

When you were a baby and were first diagnosed with hearing loss, I always said I wished I had a crystal ball that would show me the future and would show me you'd be okay.  I still wish that I had, but I'm not sure that a crystal ball would have even done you justice.  You have exceeded expectations, broken through barriers and overcome.  We are so, so proud of you and we love you so, so much!

Happy 6th Birthday, Brian!
Love, Mommy

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Shoettker Photography :)

Brian's Big Days

Brian had two really big days in May.  First...he graduated from Kindergarten!  Impossible, right?!  But it's true.  Brian Thomas is a first grader.  He was quite nervous during the class performance.  He's not a huge fan of big crowds and since all four classes presented their program together, there were A LOT of people!  He did great though and made us so proud!

What a special treat!  Assistant Principal Kim Banta came to see Brian graduate!  She is a wonderful family friend and the faculty at Brian's school was buzzing with excitement over the special honor of having her in attendance!

Brian's teacher, Mrs. Harrington.

A few days after school let out, Brian had another big day...his first FRIEND birthday party.  We were planning to invite just the boys, but Brian fought hard for the whole class and in the end he won.  We had his party at Home Depot since they offer FREE birthday parties and since he LOVES going there each month build with Daddy.  Brian and his little friends had a blast at the party!  He was so happy and thrilled to celebrate with his school friends.  He told me his favorite part was just having his friends there.  Love him!

Brian and his friends had a blast decorating the store!

Everyone made their own bug house!

That tongue...it's a family trait!

Amazing cake made by a family friend, Josh!

Awesome pin the bucket on the digger game made by Aunt Teri!