Joel celebrated his 6th Birthday last week.  I can't believe my first baby is turning SIX!  He's getting so grown up.  It's always crazy to me when we put on something that he hasn't worn for awhile and see how much he's grown.  It's also great to see him interact with his friends, brother and those around him.  He's such a good boy.

 Joel and his birthday breakfast.

Birthday muffins, bacon, yogurt and orange juice.

Breakfast of champions.  =)

 Joel with his yearly birthday banner and balloon.

 Daddy helping Joel set up his birthday gift from Nama and Pa-

a new camera!  Thanks Nama and Pa!

 Joel with his Iron Man shooter from Vance.

This year was so fun to see Joel celebrate his birthday at school.

We went in to drop off birthday bags (no food allowed in his classroom. sad.) and got to watch them celebrate his birthday in class.

 They sang Happy Birthday to him and then he got to mix up the words

and then they sing the words the way he mixed them up.

 His mixed up version of Happy Birthday.

 Getting his "beary special hugs" from his teacher.

Have I mentioned how much we LOVES his teacher?!

Vance and I then went home until lunch time.  Then we took Joel lunch and ate with him.  

 The lunch ladies were confused about his lunch plans.

He got double lunch!  

 Joel, Vance and Joel's friends at lunch.

Joel's big birthday activity will be this weekend when Nama and Pa come to visit.  So we let him have a little gathering of a few of his friends.  He got to choose a friend from church, one from school and our good friends and neighbors Kim and Jordan.  We invaded Red Robin and while it was an adventure it was also a lot of fun. 

 Joel's birthday buddies.

Ethan, Joel, Jordan, Vance and Jackson.

 Joel and Jackson.

At school Joel wrote compliments for all his

classmates.  On Jackson's he wrote , 

"You are my best friend."  

 Joel and Jordan.

We love Jordan.  Such a good friend and just next door!

 Vance at dinner.

(Yes his shirt is backwards intentionally.)

 Joel drinking up the last of his sundae and birthday!

It was such a fun day.  We joked that his birthday was sponsored by the Avengers.  He got the Iron Man shooter, Thor hammer, Iron Man action figure, and of course the massive Avengers balloon.  Tj and I got him a "Yo-Baby" board (basically a skateboard without wheels to learn tricks), a hot wheels track and an angry birds space shirt.  

Joel is such a great boy.  He's smart, funny, musical, kind, sensitive, sweet and tries so hard to be obedient.  I love this kid!

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day was such a fun weekend!   The boys made it really special.

Saturday was all about ME!  =)  I slept in and then we got ready to go see The Avengers.  Great movie, great time with the boys and Tj!  Then it was off to Bj's for lunch/dinner.  Here are some pictures at our meal.

Joel and Tj.

Me and Joel.  Such a sweetie!

Vance and Me.  He's SO cute!

 The boys then took me home and they went shopping.
Sunday the boys woke me up with breakfast that they made with the help of Tj.  Toast, eggs and bananas.  Then it was time for gifts.  Vance had made me a vase with paper flowers and a beautiful painted frame with his picture in it.  Joel made me a frame with a little poem and handprint flowers.  They both also decorated cupcakes and daddy helped them get me a garlic press.  =)

I'm so lucky to be the mother of these two sweet boys.  It's the best job in the whole world!

Mother's Day Preview

So life had been pretty crazy.  Once February hit life pretty much revolved around the yearbook.  It escalated from there until April.  I feel like all I said to the boys in March was "We can do that once the yearbook is done."  "We will play once the yearbook is done and turned in."  "Mommy can't because I'm working on the yearbook."  So once it was all turned in a HUGE weight was lifted and I felt like I got my life back.  Of course the blog continued to be neglected but I'm back and hoping to be better.

I LOVE this time of year.  I have to admit that this has not always been my favorite time of year.  Mother's Day is always hard when you dream of being a mom and that is pushed back and pushed back for whatever reason.  This year Mother's Day got kicked off early.  Thursdays Joel's school had their Mother's Day Brunch.  It was fantastic!  I LOVED it.  Joel was SO cute- although his buddy Jordan stole the show!  It was a cute show with four little songs all the kindergarteners sang, followed by a cute video presentation.  Apparently I look the prettiest when I go to baby showers, according to Joel.  =) 

Joel during the program.

Mommy and Joel

Joel and his friends Jordan, Aubrey and Gregory.

More friends: Gregory, Jafar and Ethan.

Joel and his teacher, we LOVE her!

Not to be outdone Vance has also been working hard to make my Mother's Day special.  He made me a special gift at church last week.  Then at preschool he made me another special gift and wilt-proof flowers.  I can't wait to open them on Sunday.  Such a fun time.  I LOVE these boys.  While I appreciate the work they've done to make my Mother's Day special they truly are the best gifts every day of the year.