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!