Cole's 5th birthday party!

Today was THE day. The day Cole has been waiting for - his Alligator pool party!! It all started a while back when we went to buy Ms. Denise a big cookie for her birthday. He saw a big cookie with alligators on it and decided right then and there that he was having an Alligator pool party. So what's a Momma to do other than give him one. =) This year I decided to take the "easy route" and have his party at a local public pool that has a shallow kids pool and a splash ground. It was awesome and the kids had a blast but I had no idea it would be so busy there. Oh well!! Cole loved it and had so much fun with friends and family. I'm going to use the pictures to tell about the party. Hard to believe our little dude really is FIVE and is growing up so fast. 

I wanted to do have the kids Adopt an Alligator as their party favor. I couldn't find any stuffed alligators I liked at a reasonable cost so I ended up making them. Yes...making them! It was a lot of work but they turned out so cool! 

Birthday Boy!! 

THIS was hilarious! Eli got all excited that "Renee" was at the pool. Apparently she's a little girl that he likes at Y camp. He totally checked out of Cole's party for at least 15 minutes and was just talking to her and hanging out in the pool. He even asked if she could come to Cole's party (i.e. pizza and cookie) - I said yes but she ended up leaving before we got to the cookie part. 

Kaleb, Keegan and Grandma

Cole and his peeps - Ethan and Carson

The Ks loved the water. So glad my brother, Erin and the boys were able to come up. 

LOTS of fun play time on the Splash Ground. 

Hi Connor!! Thankful that Billy, Niki and Connor made the trip up for the party too.

LOTS of kids....not all of them were Cole's party. But he had a lot of friends there. 

Erin, Jeff and the Ks. No idea how she does it - twin boys AND my brother?! 

Oh my goodness, the cuteness kills me - Eli and Renee. 

Time to get the party started....

Pizza time! The kids had worked up an appetite in the water. 

Cole and Ethan 

Happy Birthday Cole-man! Love you Infinity!!! 

Here it is - THE cookie that started it all. Alligators!! And Cole was so happy. Which, of course, made Mommy really happy. =)

I love this picture - just a fun image of Cole's friends celebrating him.

Happy Birthday to You.....

I hope you get your wish!

Cole's big piece of cookie - of course, he had to get his own alligator. 

Connor enjoyed Aunt Evia's cupcakes. 

And he loved picking out and adopting his own alligator. (I don't know that I took any actual pictures but the mouths were big zippers and opened and closed. I think I made 18 or 19 of them!)

Best shot we could get of all five cousins - Eli and Cole look so BIG next to the littles. It's going to only get better and more fun as they grow up together. 

Family shot (should have kept my glasses on!)

Cole was super excited when we got home and let him open his gifts. 

Love Minions!

Yes you are buddy, yes you are!

Grandma N was sure to get Eli a matching one - LOVE IT!

Eli was so sweet and gentle with Connor. 

Making faces on the glass door and making him laugh. So cute to watch. 

Happy in the swing

One of Cole's gifts was a stomp rocket and he immediately took it outside to play. 

Jumping off the truck to get extra "oomph"

and seeing how high it would go. 

Of course, Eli had to have a turn too. 

My "baby" brother Billy, Niki and their baby Connor - hard to believe we're all grown up!!

Cole was D-O-N-E with pictures and everything in general by the time Grandma C left. But I thought this was a cute one anyway. We're thankful for everyone who made the trip up to celebrate our Cole-man. Grandma & Grandpa N are here too spending the night. Lots of love!

Week Twenty Seven: 6/30-7/6

This week was back to reality. After vacation last week, it was nice to only have a four day work week. I'd like to say we planned it that way but it was just pure luck! Thankfully it wasn't too bad going back to work since we are in between fiscal years. I didn't have to much paper waiting on me. =) 

Eli was back at Y camp this week - Flag Football. He was super excited! This summer he's doing a combination of Sports Camps and regular Day Camp. Cole's school had their Annual 4th of July parade but since the weather wasn't cooperative (thank you major thunderstorms), they marched around the classrooms and then enjoyed festive yummies. And of course, Mommy had to be there with camera in hand! I want to enjoy every one of these little parties / events while they still want me there because I know it won't always be that way. 

 Mr. 4th of July!     Literally!!

Ready to start their modified parade. 

 Marching to Patriotic music

 And what they really cared about!! Yummy treats. I love their headbands they made. 

 And the awesome fireworks ring Cole made. I think it looks marvelous! 

 My sweet Yankee Doodle Dandy! 

 Cole and his buddy Brayden wore the same Patriotic Minion shirt. 

 Birthday donuts on Friday

Mr. Birthday at the pool. 

Saturday I went on a road bike ride. I wore my polka dot socks hoping it would help me up some hills. I'm not sure I did them justice. =) 

 Cole got a fun knock knock joke card from Grandma. 

And his own hiking poles from Aunt Cary!! He immediately wanted to go for a hike. 

Perler bead Minion. Eli and Cole loved him!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE-MAN!! #5

Oh my goodness....wasn't this just last week?! 

How is this sweet little bundle already FIVE YEARS OLD?!!

I just cannot believe five years have already gone by since our little firecracker was born. Oh how I remember that night very well. =) Our family was made complete with Cole's arrival and he adds so much to our lives every day. His personality is SO huge. He's super sweet and has the absolute funniest observations. Sometimes he'll say something out of the blue and it will just crack you up. He and Eli get along most of the time and they really are each other's best friend. I could not be more blessed than with these two healthy crazy little people. =)

We had so much fun today celebrating Cole's 5th birthday. Our little Cole-man is such a fun little dude. He asked me last night if I would put his presents on the table so he could see them and open them when he woke up. Of course my love!! So Cole woke to presents and balloons waiting for him on the kitchen table. 

Gonna be a happy boy when he wakes up!

Last night of being 4!!

He was so excited to open all his presents. 

I am FIVE!

Cole loves the "Mr." books so we got him a box set. I used to love reading these when I was little and love reading them with Cole and Eli. 

It's not your birthday without Legos!! 

Present from Eli - a Minion pillow!!

Minion Photo Bomb!!

After presents, it was time for the Birthday Boy's trip to Dunkin Donuts. They SO look forward to donut birthday breakfast. We've now graduated from getting Munchkins to the big donuts!!

Presents.....Donuts.....Birthday tv.....what else did Birthday boy want to do? How about pool time and Chick-fil-a for lunch? Yep, perfect!

They were so funny looking at each other water with their goggles on. 

Hello Birthday!! 

(I called him 'Birthday' all day today - he he he)

Rainbow ice on a hot day. 

Orange is Cole's favorite flavor for everything. 

The day continued to be whatever 'Birthday' wanted. Dinner was pizza and more tv. Surprise Surprise, right?! 

Cole cracked me up playing with these Lego guys and the inside of the dishwasher door. He was so creative and one saved the other from getting trapped. 

And while we usually say it's not your birthday without cake, Cole opted for rice kris pies with red/white/blue sprinkles. 

I hope ALL your wishes come true my sweet boy!!! We love you so much!