build a bear

The kids got Build a Bear gift certificates for their birthdays so we headed out to the mall today since Jason was off.  Bryce enjoyed filling his monkey with stuffing.

 

 

Checking to make sure he was done.

 

Emmy kept her distance during the stuffing process.

 

She wasn't too sure about the process and had to look to Daddy for reassurance. 

 

She took her kitty and ran when it was done!

 

They had their eye on the bath from the beginning!

 

Checking out the wall of all things Hello Kitty.

 

Bryce went for a football player theme.  First he chose Cowboys and then decided on Redskins.  I think Chase has a VERY similar monkey that enticed him.

 

Daddy even got in on the action!

 

Once we were done, Emmy felt the need to be a stuffed animal.  Silly girl.

 

Carrying off the loot!

 

Emmy took good care of "Kitty" as she named her and pushed her around the mall while we shopped!

 

Kitty and RG3 are happy to have a new home!

 

Another sweet day of memories with our little family!

basketball birthday party

I may or may not go all out with birthdays for our kids, but birthdays are so special to me.  We try to keep Christmas calm and simple and focus on Jesus.  However, since we don't spoil our kids all year long, their birthday is the day ALL for them.  This year was no different.  Bryce had a preschool party, a family/friend party, and his birthday day! 

 

 

We typically have family over to the house to celebrate birthdays, but since we had a separate party for preschool friends, I went ahead and planned a big ole' party for Bryce's other friends and our family.  This year Bryce asked for a basketball party.  All he wanted was a piñata!  We're so lucky to have a gym at our church that we can use for events like this.  It was a perfect place for the kids to run around and have fun! 

 

I found this fun shirt on Etsy!

 

I had no idea we would stumble upon a basketball piñata at Target after Bryce picked the theme and wanted a piñata!  I love his face in this picture.

 

Emmy had no interest in the piñata and threw the bat down immediately.  We were eventually able to get a little participation out of her!

 

We were able to get a few rounds out of the piñata before it fell (without busting).  After that, Jason just opened it and scattered the candy everywhere. 

 

I found basketball cupcakes on pinterest.  Mine didn't look as great at the example, but Bryce was happy. 

 

I found a parachute while cleaning the craft closet at church.  I thought it would be a great addition to the party.  Bryce wasn't too thrilled with the idea, but it was a big hit, and what a good photo-op!

 

 

The kids loved being under the parachute

 

 

and being on top of it!  It was SO fun!

 

Barbara was so good to remind me to get a family shot before the party was over.  Of course, I still didn't remember, but she did get this shot with all four of us in it!

 

We're so grateful to all our family and friends who love Bryce so much and who came out to celebrate his special day with him.  He was spoiled rotten and loved every second of it!  Thank you!!

Bryce is FIVE

Bryce finally hit the big 0-5 milestone!

 

 

Weight: 38 pounds (25% percentile)

Height: 41 inches (10th percentile)  The doctor said he will probably be 5'7 or 5'8. 

Vision: 20/20

Blood pressure: 101/58

 

We pass Waffle House when we go to Walmart and Bryce is always wanting to go.  I'm not a fan of Waffle House, but Jason is.  Somehow in all our discussions about Waffle House (this came up back in September) it was decided that Bryce and Jason would go to Waffle House for breakfast on his birthday.  Daddy delivered and Bryce loved it!

I had bible study on Bryce's birthday so he and Emmy went to Nana and Pap's house.  Bryce was very excited to get his own tablet.  Jason had already loaded Angry Birds Go! on it and he was thrilled.  Nana and Pap took him to Stevie B's for his birthday lunch!

 

Bryce requested tortellini bake for his birthday dinner.  After dinner we went to Menchie's for dessert since he had gotten a gift card for his birthday.  MeMa met us there and gave Bryce $5 which he chose to use on the claw machine right next door at Kroger.  Bryce won his two items with his first $2.  Jason won his items at the SAME time with his first $1.

I just can't believe how far we've come in the past 5 years.  We are so proud of Bryce.  He is such a smart, kind, loving, responsible, mature, obedient five year old boy!  We're excited to see what kindergarten brings (even though I'd rather keep him in my bubble forever).

 

Jason took Bryce to Monster Jam last Friday night for his "little birthday" as he has deemed it over the past three years!

 

Bryce celebrated at school on Tuesday and Barbara was kind enough to drop off her camera so the teachers could get some shots for me. 

 

And finally, today was Bryce's well visit.  He opted at his four year visit to not get any shots and hold off until 5.  There has been much preparation for this event and he did GREAT!  You would not believe how impressed the nurses were.  He got two shots in his leg which didn't even phase him.  He flinched a bit at one shot in the arm and said "ouch to the other", but he never shed a tear.  We headed to Barnes and Noble afterwards for his free birthday treat and some train table time.  He also picked out a book with some of his birthday money he got!  I'd say he is one loved little boy and this probably went down as one of the best birthday celebrations ever!

jumpology birthday party

Bryce and his best buddy, Thomas, celebrated their 5th birthday with a joint party at Jumpology on Thursday. 

 

 

Bryce could not wait to jump in the foam pit.  He would have stayed there all day!

 

Bryce talked about the pit so much that Emmy couldn't wait for it either.  She ran down the trampoline and jumped right in!

 

We eventually left the pit and made it down to the trampoline floor.

 

Jason got the boys going on a game of dodge ball.  Bryce told me that was  his favorite part of the party!

 

We were only missing one friend from class. 

 

Only one person is allowed in the pit at a time, but our party director let all the kids jump in after they took their picture.  SO fun!!

 

Emmy made herself right at home with the girls from the class.  There are only three girls in Bryce's class.  Emmy filled the void of the third musketeer!

 

We went with a donut cake this year instead of real cake.  I think a lot less food was wasted this way!

 

The face of an almost five year old (who after 2 donuts was in a sugar coma).

 

The birthday boys!

 

Happy Birthday Bryce and Thomas!

a taste of spring

The weather on Wednesday was perfect for an afternoon outside.  We called our friends and headed to the park for a picnic and some play time.  Bryce's little friend Addison stays with us two days a week so it was fun to have 3 preschool friends together.

 

 

Emmy is always so happy.

 

Bryce is getting too big too fast!

 

The playground equipment was a little wet from morning rain so we walked the trails around the lakes.  It was a full time job making sure no one got too close to the edge!!

 

Sweet friends after a fun afternoon.

 

Hoping for more warm weather in the near future!

the last of the valentine fun

Barbara and I pulled off another fun party for the preschool class!  We were snowed out on Friday, so we made up the fun on Monday.  Who doesn't love to stretch out a holiday/celebration?!?

 

 

Barbara brought in a super fun BINGO game for the kids to play while we waited for lunch to arrive. 

 

Our craft served as dessert as well.  I made sugar cookies and brought in all the fixings to decorate them.  We ended up decorating the cookies before lunch since the pizza was a little late arriving.  This little girl snuck a bite of hers before lunch!

 

How is this the only solo picture I got of him at the party??

 

Barbara read the kids a Valentine story to wrap up the fun before lunch!

 

Organizing preschool kids for a group picture is like herding cats.  I can imagine teaching them is about the same, thankfully I taught fourth graders!  It was a really fun morning and I think all the kids had a great time!