Alex's birthday party

On Saturday, we hosted 13 first grade boys for a cosmic bowling party to celebrate Alex's birthday. It was loud and chaotic and crazy, but I'm pretty sure that everyone had a good time. I know Alex did, so we'll call it a success! They did a little bowling, ate some pizza and sang happy birthday to the birthday boy.

Reed beat all the first graders he played against in the first game - including Alex!

Singing happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Alex!

How has it been SEVEN years since Alex was this tiny?

It just doesn't seem possible that the little screaming baby has become such an awesome big kid. A really, really big kid.

 

















This has been a big year! In past year Alex moved into the "big" school and has done an amazing job in first grade. He has learned to balance homework with sports practices and having friends come over to play.

He played basketball for the first time and started reading chapter books. He got really, really good at math and learned to tie his shoes.

He can jump rope, make a free throw and tell a knock-knock joke. He has spent the night with friends, learned more sporting statistics than I will ever know and hit a golf ball more than 100 yards.

He is sweet and kind and caring and everybody's friend. I love this kid! Happy 7th birthday to my big boy!

SLS Field Day 2012

We had a blast at Field Day! Alex enjoyed all of the events, but everyone gets really excited for obstacle course and tug of war. The classes compete against each other in those events and they ended up in a tie. There are a few individual/team events too, and Alex and Trenton won second place in water balloon toss. We also enjoyed lunch with Alex's best buddy, Jacob. So glad I got to spend the day outside having fun with my big boy!

I remember last year when Alex could hardly stretch his legs that far!

Sliding in (and off the racer) for the finish.

Tug of war (Alex is almost at the end and working hard!)

 









 Lunchtime with friends.













The water balloon toss - requires a lot of concentration.

The second place ribbon (and a smile)!

Bedtime reading

Now that Reed can join in the bedtime reading fun, the boys have started jumping in Alex's bed to do a little reading before lights out. It is soooo cute!

Expert reader

Reed read this to Mrs. Bartlett (his teacher), who called Mrs. Lowry (the preschool director) down the hall to see/hear him read. They are so proud (and so are we!)

Ball games

Reed had his first ever t-ball game on Saturday, and Alex had one of his last basketball games. Fortunately, they were in the same place at the same time! Reed looked adorable in his uniform and had a couple good hits. He also had a "homerun" - he kept running around all the bases to home, even though there were teammates on second and third!

After the games, they had a quick picnic with Moz and Gramps before heading to their house for a fun weekend.

Pictures of Easters past

Since we take Easter pictures every year, I couldn't resist pulling out some old pics for comparison. They are toooo big!

2006

2007


















2008


















2009












2010


















2011


















2012

Easter 2012

What a great Easter! We went to church early this morning and enjoyed a day full of relaxation and celebration with family. Moz, Gramps, Grandma, Pops and Aunt Christie came over for a barbecue dinner (Brian made some awesome bbq!) and the annual watching of the Masters. We are blessed!

Nothing better than two boys dressed up and ready for church. Silly, serious and too cute! I love these guys!

And the baskets from the bunny...

Great Good Friday

We had a great Good Friday. The boys and I went for a bide ride on the Shelby Farms Greenline for the first time. We saw lots of trees, rode under the interstate and even had a snack at an overlook spot. Then we headed to the Shelby Farms playground for the rest of the morning. It was a beautiful day and we loved every minute of it!