Brody is 5!

Brody turned five a couple of weeks ago.  I can't believe this little guy is now half a decade old.  Next year, I will have officially been parenting a whole decade after Evan turns 10.  Yikes!  This has been the fastest decade of my life, but it has also been the best.  While everyday isn't perfect, I have enjoyed every minute with these boys.  Brody has been a very special addition to our lives with his sweet, sensitive, and emotional personality.  I know I worry more about him going to big school than I ever did for Evan.  Evan has always seemed so much more mature than his actual age and is a true "first" child.  I am expecting some very emotional days when Brody starts kindergarten in a couple more months, but I pray that I will be pleasantly surprised when he adjusts easily to his new full day school routine.  I do think the structure will be good for him.  I hope his teachers will appreciate his sweet and loving nature, but I know in a larger class size, it may be difficult for Brody to get the one on one attention he craves.  I have a lot of concerns for my very special little sweetheart, but I am trying to trust that the Lord will provide for his needs.

For Brody's special day, we stuck with the "tradition" we started last year that instead of an official party, we would just make his whole day (or weekend) all about him.  It really worked out perfectly, and Brody enjoyed celebrating his birthday for several days.

Our big boy is 5!  I have kept up the birthday banner from Mattox's party and just changed out the names for each birthday.  Hey, may as well reuse when you have three birthdays in two months. 

We started Brody's actual birthday, a Friday, with breakfast at IHOP.  The boys had been wanting to eat there since one opened in our little town.  Daddy had to work so it was just Mommy and the boys. 

The boys give high fives for chocolate pancakes covered with powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and cherry faces. 

Silly boys getting their sugar highs. 

After breakfast, Brody got a special treat meeting Evan's class for a field trip at the State Farmer's Market.  Brody loved the strawberries and flowers.  He picked out a flower for his birthday present from Evan.  He chose a lovely golden orange marigold.  He was encouraged to do so by the owner of the booth.  The power of suggestion works really well on him.  Haha!

On Saturday, we continued the birthday celebrations after Brody's early morning t-ball game.  He and Mommy stopped at Harris Teeter to pick out his cake, and he got to push the cart and ride Harry the Happy Dragon.  

A happy little boy and a happy dragon. This dragon brings back sentimental memories of his early days when we watched big brother's first t-ball games and had a picture taken with Harry the Dragon when he threw the opening day first pitch. 

Grandma came to visit, and we all went to lunch at our new Chili's.  Daddy's meal came with dessert, but he gave it to Brody.  Brody enjoyed being sang to and then shared his big chocolate cake. 

Brody got some birthday balloons, including a Minion balloon for our little minion.  If I had to pick a minion for him, I would say he is Bob.  Cute and silly!

Making wishes and blowing out his candle. 

And opening his presents.  I really like for the boys to get something fun and useful for their birthdays and not a lot of little junk.  Aunt Naomi and Grandma picked out perfect gifts.  Aunt Naomi got him this awesome little frozen yogurt maker.  You just freeze some of your favorite yogurt in little trays and then it mixes it with fruit and other toppings of your choice.  With our favorite Stonyfield Farms vanilla yogurt and some fresh strawberries and chocolate chips, it really tasted a lot like our beloved Pinkberry.  

Grandma got Brody a cute little pizza making set.  I had looked at the Melissa and Doug wooden set, but I actually like this little set better because you can mix up the different toppings to put on top and "cut" the pieces and serve it with all the accessories.  It is a perfect addition to Brody's restaurant menu. 

I was at a bit of loss what to get him for his birthday, but he really wants to do what big brother does these days.  Evan loves riding his scooter so I thought Brody would like to ride one too.  

He got a Minions scooter.  Do we see a theme this year?  Haha!  Last year, it was Jake and the Neverland Pirates and this year Minions.  

Then, the boys headed outside to play on a beautiful Spring afternoon.  Cousin Grady did a great job riding Brody's old tricycle, and Brody caught on quickly to riding his scooter. 

Grandma took Mattox for a ride in his car. 

We had given Brody this gift earlier in the week because he really wanted to see it and was going to sneak a peek at it in the garage.  He had seen the box arrive when our mailman left it outside so he knew it was for him.  Sigh.  He really wanted a basketball goal he could use when big brother is using his.  We had one previously for Evan, but it had seen better days when we moved last year so we just got rid of it.  

He is getting pretty good.  

Dear Brody,

I hope your birthday was as special as you are to us.  Daddy and Mommy love you so much.  Your sweet smiles and loving nature just melt our hearts.  You can be a handful with a fiery temper (like mommy), but you are as sweet as can be.  Strangers who do not know you like we do at home just think you are the sweetest little boy as you are so friendly and love to talk to everyone you meet.  Your relationship with your brothers continues to make me so happy.  Sometimes, big brother and little brother do annoy you when Evan wants to play with his older friends and little brother Mattox is not quite ready to play like you want.  Mattox just wants to be as close to you as he can get all the time and will try to climb on you or sit beside you and touch your face, and you don't always like it.  I have tried to explain to you that Mattox just absolutely adores you and wants to be close to you.  However, you and Mattox play together more and more, and I love when you show you love him in your own special way.  Just this morning, Mattox had given me a kiss when I fed him a piece of your doughnut, and you wanted him to kiss you too.  He did, and it was so cute!  We are just so in love with you and have enjoyed watching you grow these last five years.  I can't imagine what the next five years will bring, but I know it will be a fun adventure.  We love you to the moon and back to infinity, you little minion!  

Love,

Mommy & Daddy