Saturday, August 31, 2013

Like Father, Like Son

I SOOOO love this!  Eli really wanted to go ride with Daddy but since Tim was going on a road ride, he had to stay behind. A few more years before we let you on the road Eli but I know your Daddy will love it when you do. You'll be awesome to draft behind!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Thank you to my teachers

Cole's sweet sign for Thank you notes to his Summer Teachers. He has loved the Summer in PS2. But.....No more Preschool, it's off to 4K!

Monday, August 26, 2013

1st Grade!

Hard to believe....it's the 1st day of 1st grade!!! We're so excited for your year ahead Eli. 
Go Get'em!





Saturday, August 24, 2013

Eli's Basketball Birthday Party

Birthday + Basketball + the Boys = a Super fun Party!! 

Eli had a great day today celebrating his birthday with his friends. I need to take pictures of the invitations but we went all out on the basketball theme. They were a ticket with a VIP pass for each friend. It was great that every boy wore their VIP pass to the party. So fun! And they all brought their g-a-m-e.....they were ready to play ball. We used sidewalk chalk to draw the court. Our next door neighbor Henry was the "Coach" and played ball with the kids and led them in some games. It was so much fun to watch. My very most favorite moment was when Eli and his buddy Fisher chest bumped after one of them made a shot. It was hilarious to watch them. The boys played on teams, did some shooting contests and goofed off. Eli wasn't happy when he got knocked out of one of the games - apparently when you're the Birthday Boy, you get unlimited chances. =)

Front door decorations - I don't think anyone came in the front door! 
Warming up with Henry before his friends got there
These six year olds "got game"! 
Eli dribbling against Fisher (in the gray).


Eli and Ryan 
Free throw contest

After the first round of games, we had pizza for lunch followed by cupcakes, cake and cookies. 

Pizza table and Eli's birthday banner
Basketball that all of his friends and family signed along with basketball cookies and chocolate treats. 
The only picture I have of the whole gang - minus Ryan who had to leave early. From L-R, Cole, Valentino, Eli, Lucas, AJ, Fisher, Griffin, Evan, Christopher and Evan. We were missing a few friends but everyone had a great time. 
The little boys took over the big table, leaving the little table for the Daddies.....notice the bench that is flexing. 
My first 3d cake - I attempted a basketball cake for Eli. He and his friends loved it! 
Yummy cupcakes! 
Mr. Basketball loved it all
Candles and singing....I love how every picture I have of Eli during singing, he looks so happy. 
Make a wish!!

After cake and cookies (I think almost every boy got one of each!), it was time for presents!! I think that is by far everyone's favorite part. Each friend loved it when Eli opened their gift and of course, Eli loved being the center of attention and getting presents. He was so funny when he would call out "a hush among the crowd" when they got loud. He made sure to say who gave him each gift and I think he thanked them as well. Such sweet friends to bring him gifts! 


My sweet Cole loves little babies. He couldn't wait to "hold" Parker - the little brother of our friends Lucas, Griffin and Evan. It's so funny that in a few years, we will take their school by storm. We'll alternate the boys and have kids in K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades! 
Grandma & Grandpa C came up to help celebrate. Glad they could be here.
Grandma & Grandpa N came up too - very lucky to have BOTH sets of Grandparents. I love how both families value family time and family celebrations. The boys are so lucky!
Front of Eli's "quillow" that Grandma N made for him. It folds up into a pillow and is for him to take when we go camping. 
Back side
Best family shot we got that day. Eli, my big boy, I hope you had so much fun at your birthday party and I hope 6 is an awesome year!! We all love you so much!!

Riding my bike.....no training wheels required

So guess who decided he didn't need training wheels on his bike.......yep, our little Cole-man!! Even though today is Eli's birthday party, Cole stole the show pre-party with his bike skills. It was so fun to watch him and the sheer joy on his face that he could do it. It was also awesome to have Grandmas & Grandpas here to see him do it. 

Go Cole-Man!!
He sure made Daddy run a lot as he was testing out his two wheel skills. 
I love Cole's face as he high fives Grandma. Wish I could have seen hers too. 




So proud!!!







Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Eli's 6 year stats

Did I write that correctly? SIX YEAR STATS?!! How did we go from this....


To this.....
Looks like he totally WAS 'Born to Ride'. =)

Tim took Eli to the doctor yesterday for his 6 year well check. Yes, a great fun thing to do ON your birthday but it was the only appointment I could get and he didn't have to get shots so no biggie. But let me tell you, Eli is the biggie. Still holding at Mr. 95% - check him out:

Weight - 57-1/2 pounds - 90-95th percentile
Height - 48-1/2" - 95th percentile

We're so blessed to have a happy healthy BIG 6 year old boy!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Happy 6th Birthday Eli!!!

Oh what an awesomely fun day!! We enjoyed celebrating Eli's 6th birthday! The plan was for him to take the day off and spend with Daddy. No fair that Cole always gets his birthday out of school so we decided to give Eli a day off of camp to spend one on one time with Daddy. And I think he loved every minute of it! 

First, of course, I made him a birthday banner and chose a basketball one to reuse for his party this weekend. 

Lots of birthday goodies await our 6 year old!
I always find that I have to take a picture of the boys on their last night of whatever age - this was Eli's last night being 5! And he looks so big!!
Eli was thrilled to see presents and his balloon but even more excited to go to Dunkin' Donuts for birthday breakfast!
Happy Little Munchkin!
The non-birthday brother is always happy too because that means he gets donuts for breakfast. =) 
Birthday Boy's choices
Present time - Eli got new tires for his bike
and a new polka dot (climber's) jersey and baggy shorts from us.
And a super awesome jersey from Aunt Cary and star bike shorts.
Riding with the Big Dawgs

So after we enjoyed a fun morning, Cole went to school and I went to work while Tim and Eli had a fun day. I will say that my most favorite part of the morning was when Eli walked out of the dining room into the kitchen and noticed his birthday banner. He stopped, gasped and said "Oh Mom. Thank you for my banner!". It was so precious and makes this Mommy's heart very happy. 

Ready for birthday bike ride with Daddy

Tonight, as was Birthday Boy's choice, we went to Moe's for dinner. We didn't realize it was Kid's Night but that worked out great! Both boys ate free and there was a balloon artist. Free food and cheap entertainment! 

My crazy boys
Eli had a million and one questions for the balloon lady
Burrito time! Eli actually ate my burrito and I ate his kid's one. Growing boy!
We saw one of Eli's friends from school at Moe's. Here they show off their balloon bow and arrows. Cole got one too. 
After dinner, it was Sunset Slush to round out an awesome birthday! Happy 6th Birthday Eli - we love you so much!