Evan is a Teenager!

It's official now.  We have a teenager.  I have kind of considered him a teen for a while now because he is very mature for his age, but I have noticed a few changes in him in the last few months.  He is definitely wanting to hang out with his parents and younger siblings less and less.  He will often sit with his earbuds in his ears whether or not he is listening to music.  I don't know if that is because he thinks it looks cool or just to tune us all out.  Haha!  He gives us the teenager stink eye glare a lot more too.  The teen attitude has definitely made its appearance.  How long will this last?  Of course, I am also growing a bit sad thinking we only have about five more years with him at home.  He has big dreams to accomplish and will likely not be at home much after he graduates from high school.  Sigh.  We still wanted to celebrate this special day with our still precious big baby boy.  I have especially hated this pandemic for him because he is definitely our more social child who craves interactions with friends.  He is lucky to have a best friend neighbor across the road, but he misses school and sports.  I hate that he missed his final days at his old school with his friends, but I can't wait to get him established in his new school, sports, and church activities.  I know he will thrive and be successful wherever he goes. 

I made my big teenager a chocolate soccer ball cake.  Soccer is still his favorite sport, and I hope he will be on a good team when we move. 

He is wearing his favorite Adidas soccer shirt.  Yes, he prefers athletic wear all the time. 

So grown up and handsome.  Where is my little baby?  

He's still there and will always be mama's baby. 

I think this was doughnuts for breakfast time.  Grayson is probably Evan's favorite little brother right now.  They both love to wrestle and play rough.  They gang up on poor Brody and Mattox. 

For his birthday supper, we were able to go to his favorite wing restaurant, Wild Wing Cafe.  They stayed open longer than most establishments and implemented stricter seating policies and other measures for their staff.  We all felt very safe, and Evan got his favorite meal. 

Baby sister Maggie looks the most like baby Evan so it is nice to have her to remind me.  

Mommy and Mattox and Brody enjoyed celebrating too.

We love you to the moon and back, Evan!  Keep making us proud in all you do!

Mattox's Out of this World 5th Birthday

Mattox has definitely developed an obsession with Buzz Lightyear, spaceships, and going to the moon.  Those are his favorite topics to talk about.  With a child who does not talk very much, you want to do anything you can to encourage his communication.  He had received a Buzz Lightyear action figure earlier in the year to encourage him, and after Christmas, we had discovered the coolest Buzz Lightyear spaceship that he could "fly."  I had asked him if he wanted that for his birthday, and for the next couple of months, when we would ask him what he wanted for his birthday, he would say "Buzz Lightyear spaceship."  After Christmas, he was also very excited to go back to school, and his teachers and speech therapist were able to get him to talk by offering him incentives like watching Buzz Lightyear videos on their phones.  It was the most progress he made all year.  Can you guess what his birthday theme would be?  Yep, Buzz Lightyear and spaceships!  I know this boy is going places...maybe even to the moon one day!  

Since we didn't have a big party for him, I wanted to splurge a little.  I got him this "lifesized" Buzz Lightyear balloon to party with him.  I also used my newfound trick of blowing up my own balloons for a large bouquet, and that bouquet is still going strong three months later!  I was going for colors that resembled Buzz although my green was a little more teal than his.  

We ate dinner at our customary favorite Mellow Mushroom.  Since Grayson's birthday, the statue outside changed from the giant minion to a cool E.T.  I love E.T. so much that when we visited Universal Studios when Mattox was a baby, I bought him a little E.T. stuffed toy.  We took our E.T. with us to see the big E.T.  The manager of the restaurant was quite impressed.  Sadly, the big E.T. has not been holding up well because he is made of fiberglass instead of metal.  He has several broken fingers and a bandaged arm.  Mattox tells him, "Owwww!" like E.T. says in the movie.  The manager said he would be leaving them and be replaced by a different sculpture soon.  

Mattox was pretending to let E.T. drink from his cup.  There is also a cool Spiderman on the ceiling.  

I just love this kid!  He really is so very special to me. 

He is so special, I could not resist attempting to make him my most fantastical cake yet.  I made him a huge rocket ship like Buzz Lightyear's.  I think Buzz approved. 

I just love all of these boys!  I never would have imagined my life with four boys, but I wouldn't change it for the world! 

Mattox and Buzz defending the galaxy. 

The big 5 year old is ready to blow out his candles. 

He just needed a little help from his teammates.  He actually blows the wrong way so air really isn't coming out.

I was trying to "teach" him the proper way to blow.  

It did kind of make me sad to cut into this cool cake, but the kids all enjoyed it.  

Mr. Grayson likes Buzz too and has Buzz Lightyear sneakers. One of the first real sentences he would say was answering the questions "Who is on your shoes?" and "What do your shoes do?"  He will reply, "Buzz."  and "They light up."  

Mattox is ready to take on the evils of the universe in his very own spaceship.  

We love you to infinity and beyond, Space Ranger Mattox!