Celebrating Caleb

We all had a fun few days celebrating our boy as he turned five years old! 

Last Wednesday he spent the day and even stayed the night with Marshma and Papa. They went swimming, played Checkers and Old Maid, and spent lots of time setting up some of his new toys. He even got a visit from Aunt Dana. 

On Thursday Creed took Caleb to see the new movie Epic, which they both seemed to enjoy. That afternoon they went to the pool, and then we all went to Sake Blue (Caleb's choice) for his birthday dinner. 

He got a little nervous when they came to our table with the drums and sang "Happy Birthday." I just love his serious expression. 

After dinner we had our family celebration and Caleb got his cookie cake! Yum!

Friday morning (Caleb's actual birthday) he requested breakfast at Wild Eggs, and thankfully Creed was able to go since he didn't have to work until noon. 

After breakfast we went to the pool and swam for four hours! Caleb continues to amaze us, swimming across the pool and back, and Luke is finally swimming on his own with arm floaties. 

That afternoon Caleb went to Grandmom and Grandpa's house and celebrated with them. He is one loved little boy! 

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY, CALEB!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

5 Years Ago...

Dear Caleb,

On June 14, 2008, you, sweet boy, came into this world. I'll never forget the feeling of holding you for the first time. You were so calm and alert.

Daddy was so excited because he knew that you'd be fishing buddies. He couldn't wait for the day that you would want to spend the day out on the lake with him.

Oh, the bibs. Caleb, you spent the first 10 months of your life wearing a bib. It didn't seem to bother you, though.

You grew so quickly, and before we knew it, you had your first big boy hair cut. 

You have always loved to be outside, especially in the water.

You've also always loved sweets!

I remember taking each and every one of these pictures of you. I remember where we were and what we were doing. I also remember it was about this time that I thought about you turning five. I remember thinking that "5" was just so old and grown up. I didn't even want to consider Kindergarten.

You turned two and thankfully, we didn't see the "terrible twos." 

You became a big brother that year and were so helpful and sweet to him. I couldn't have been more proud of you.

You turned three and we had so much fun. You were, and still are, so much fun to be around. 

You also started to like pirates that year.

And, finally became that fishing buddy that Daddy was looking for!

You turned four before the blink of the eye it seemed. I'm not going to lie, four has been much more challenging that I could have ever envisioned. You have a lot of say, and with that comes a needs for explanations (Because I said so has never worked with you.) But four has also been awesome and you've kept us laughing.

At four you played your first sport

and had your first broken bone.

Today, sweet boy, we sang happy birthday to you, our now FIVE year old, over pancakes- your breakfast choice. Words cannot express how proud of you we are and just how much we love you.  

Caleb, I am so incredibly thankful that God chose me to be your mom. I love you...to the moon and back. Love always, Mommy

Watching Baby Evalina

Last week I had the chance to babysit my friend, Stephanie's new baby girl. (Stephanie is a 3rd grade teacher at my school and needed a sitter for a few days the last week of school.) Sweet Evalina is such a good baby, and so big compared to my boys at her age. (She was a 10 pound baby!) At 10 weeks old, she was just as precious as could be. 

Caleb was a HUGE help and so sweet. He was interested in everything about her. While I was worried about Luke's reaction, he couldn't have been better. He loved to just sit and stare at her, he helped give her a bottle, and was so gentle. 

Checking her out

Funny story...When she first got here, Luke was still sleeping so he was super shocked to see a baby when he woke up. I told him, "No touch baby," hoping we could set some ground rules. He looked at her puzzled, and then asked me, "Hot? Baby hot?" Apparently no touch and hot go hand in hand with him.  But, like I said, he did awesome and by day two knew the full meaning of the word gentle.

Gallrein Farms

Last Tuesday we met our neighbors, the Lathams, at Gallrein Farms to pick strawberries. The boys picked a whopping $1.35 worth of strawberries before deciding to call it quits, but thankfully, we were able to buy a gallon of pre-picked berries.

Hi. Hi. Hi. 

Luke loved all of the animals!

While Caleb isn't a fan of the real zoo, he LOVED the petting zoo! He would have fed the animals all day.

Luke's favorite animal- the kitty cat!

Somehow we managed to get Luke and Colin to sit down for a picture. We may have bribed them with treats. ;)

Kings Island 2013

A few weeks ago we took the boys up to Cincinnati for our annual family trip to Kings Island. This was the 5th year in a row that we've been, and I think we have finally figured it out. We decided to go early this year- to avoid 100 degree temperatures and to avoid large crowds. Our plan worked perfectly and the four of us had an awesome day!

First stop: Boo Blasters! Caleb also loves to shoot the ghosts. 

Luke just rode with his I am so amazed by this face.

Bumper Cars!

We almost lost Luke a few times, as he tried to escape. It took forever for the ride to begin but we convinced him to hang in there. He loved it for the seven seconds that he drove before getting stuck on the wall. ;)

Caleb, on the other hand, was a pro driver.

Sadly, Luke was about 1/2 an inch too short for some of the rides, so it was just Caleb on the airplane.

While Caleb and Creed rode some of the bigger rides (if Caleb is tall enough, he's riding it- such a little dare devil!) Luke and I took a ride on the helicopters

and the merry-go-round. 

And while Caleb and I rode a roller coaster that Caleb was finally tall enough to get on, Luke and Creed rode the big yellow airplane. 

Headed to the water park- Luke was SO excited for the choo choo.

I only took one picture in the water park, as I just didn't want to fool with the camera and worry about it getting wet. But, I did get this shot of Caleb coming down his favorite tube slide.

After a few hours in the water park, we headed back to ride a few more rides. This was Luke's VERY favorite ride. It would whip them around the corner and Luke laughed and squealed with excitement each time.  

I love Luke's excitement, and Caleb's I cannot believe that I am on this baby ride face.

Creed and Caleb are somewhere on there... (I got motion sick just watching!)

Hands up!

Nothing better than Snoopy's blueberry ice cream at the end of the day! 

We left home at about 8am that morning, and didn't get back home until after 7pm that night. By far, our longest family day at Kings Island. Creed and I kept talking about the day when the boys leave us at the gate and we just plan a place to meet and have lunch...for now I am loving our time in Snoopy Land.