Celebrating Evan's Birthday

Evan's birthday was a wonderful day, and I think he really enjoyed all the special time he got to spend with Mommy and Daddy.  The birthday festivities began when Mommy and Daddy went into his room to wake him up by singing "Happy Birthday."  Mommy gave him some big birthday kisses, and Daddy wheeled a brand new big bike into his room.  It was the Transformers bike he had been wanting for a while so that really got him up and moving.  He immediately had to climb on it.  Then, we all went downstairs, and Evan had some birthday pancakes complete with candles to blow out.  After breakfast, Daddy took him to school where he would have even more birthday festivities.  At 11:30, Mommy and Daddy showed up at his school to eat lunch with him, take cupcakes for his class, and then Mommy read his favorite book to his class.  After school, he enjoyed a little time with Mommy and Daddy by himself, and we took him with us to Wendy's (his choice) for a treat and then went to try out our new neighborhood playground.  After afternoon naps, we went out for pizza (again his choice) and met his Uncle, Aunt, and cousins.  He also enjoyed getting birthday cards in the mail and just felt really special and loved on his special day!  He will get to celebrate his birthday again this weekend with a big bowling party.

Waking up on his birthday to Mommy and Daddy singing. 

His new bike!

Showing he can climb on.  His old bike was a little 12 inch bike, and we had noticed that his knees were hitting the handle bars and decided he was ready for a bigger bike.  

Superman gets a new Transformers bike. 

A pancake birthday cake!

Blowing out his candles.

Daddy sits with Evan at lunch. 

Mommy loves being with her little man. 

He loved passing out the cupcakes to all his friends. 

Everyone loved the cupcakes.

Wearing his birthday crown. 

Daddy gives the birthday boy his cupcake.

Mommy loves this little prince. 

Mommy read Evan's favorite book, "Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe."  It was a big hit!

What a sweet boy!

Trying out his new playground. 

I think he likes the new slide. 

Trying out the little slide for Brody.

A new jungle gym.  This little girl came up on the playground with her dad and immediately started calling for Evan by name.  Apparently, Evan has been very popular with all the neighborhood girls on the playground lately since he has been coming almost everyday with his nanny.

Uh oh, we cheated!  Brody got a little cupcake too. 

And he liked it!

Evan tries out his new bike.

Happy 5th Birthday to My First Miracle!

Dear Evan,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I can't believe it has been 5 years since the day you made me a mommy.  That was definitely the most wonderful day of my life!  You have made the last 5 years the most fun and exciting years of my life.  I know that God has an amazing plan and purpose for your little life.  You are so beautiful inside and out and are so smart and loving and caring.  That's why you are such a good big brother too.  I just can't believe how fast these last 5 years have gone.  This birthday just seems like such a milestone.  If the last 5 years went so fast, imagine how fast the next 5, 10, or even 15 years will go.  Then, you will be an adult.  Although I am a little sad that my baby has grown up, I am excited about the adventures ahead as you start big school and grow into a strong and wise man (like your Daddy).  And of course, no matter how big you get, you will always be my BABY!  

Love always,

your Mommy

P.S. - I know you informed me the other day that when you were older, you would call me "Mom" and not "Mommy," but trust me, that has not happened yet!  Sometimes, you are just "too big for your britches!"  

Look at how far you've come:

  

Second Year of T-Ball Has Begun

Although we were afraid the weather this weekend would not allow us to enjoy the first game of the season, the rain held off, and the weather was much warmer than last year.  Evan is really glad to be on the same team with many of his friends from last year and is looking forward to another exciting year of sports.  I could definitely see a change in his maturity level since last year when he was a very young four and the youngest player on the team.  He stayed out on the field the whole game, paid attention without having to be reminded, did not cry or even whimper about being tired or hot (or cold or any other excuse he could come up with like last year), and just played a great game.  He was very excited when he caught several balls and threw several players out at first (we don't actually count them out yet though because we don't want any kids getting discouraged from playing at this young age).  Overall, it was just a great day on the field!  

Evan and his team, the Orange Crush!  He was so serious sitting on the bench waiting for his turn to hit.  As the last batter in the lineup, he always had a while to wait too.  

His pal, Joe, got some smiles out of him though. 

Who's ready to play ball?

Love that beautiful little ball player.

Brody is ready for the game. 

Harry the Harris Teeter Dragon came out to throw the first pitch at opening day. 

Brody really liked Harry and wanted to hold his hand. 

Go #4!

Harry throws the pitch. 

Poor Harry got attacked by a sea of orange and blue. 

Little brother loved watching the game. 

Evan prepares to slam it.

He got to run all the way home since he was the last batter.  Home Run!

My little "pitcher."

I think orange is his color!

Coach Daddy and Coach Jason walk the youngest player off the field. 

Coach Jason helps Evan get ready to hit. 

Run, baby, run!  (Do you think Mommy might embarrass him just a little?)

Evan plays outfield like a pro.

Looking and acting like a big boy on the field this year. 

Evan walks with Coach Daddy off the field. 

Catcher...they abandoned the full uniform because it was just too heavy for them and just stand over to the side and not directly behind the plate.

Evan and his teammates prepare to greet the other team at the end of a good game. 

Waiting for his end of game snack.

Yum...animal crackers.

Team huddle with the coaches. 

Somebody likes animal crackers. 

Evan liked his orange gatorade.  What else for the orange team?

Daddy got the coaches big ones.