Happy Birthday Eli

The birthday boy.

I have not inherited my Mom's awesome cake decorating skills, but I try! Each year I think of a new theme cake for the kids. I usually buy a fun toy for the top of it. This year I attempted to make the Buzz Lightyear space ship. It wasn't too fancy, but Eli loved it!

Eli was so looking forward to getting the birthday crown.

I guess Ethan isn't too old for Chuck E. Cheese yet!

Emma loved the rides...until she figured out she could win tickets!

Grandma playing with Emma.

Emma could not hit it hard enough to really play, but she had fun trying.

Ethan is the master at winning tickets.

My dad thought he could hide from me :)

Eli's old Leapster stopped working a while ago and he was so excited to get a new one! Complete with new games. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We were happy to celebrate Eli's 5th birthday on Monday. Hard to believe my baby boy is 5! It seems like just the other day I was bringing him home. It was cold and rainy, just like the day he was born. We were supposed to go on a field trip to the zoo with his preschool class. It had to be rescheduled because of the weather. Instead, we relaxed at home and played with some of his new presents.

Each birthday, we let the kids pick a place they like go out to eat. We don't eat out often, so it's always a big treat for them. This year Eli picked Chuck E. Cheese. He was so excited to go and could not hardly wait for the fun to begin! On the way there, Andrew threw up in the car. Jeremy was meeting us there after work, so thankfully he was able to take him home to rest. That is why he isn't in any of the pictures. I really didn't leave him out!

Eli had a great time being in the spotlight for the day. I think he is in a hard position in the family. He's too young to do some of the things his older brothers do, but too old to always hang out and play with me and Emma. We try and make things special for him as often as we can. Birthdays are always so much fun!

Eli is growing up fast. He's half way done with preschool. He knows all his letters and numbers. He's reading simple words and doing addition. I think he will be more than ready for kindergarten next fall. He is always the silly one. Loves making goofy faces for the camera and making the rest of us laugh. He loves building with Legos and riding his bike. He is a great big brother, but a stinker of a little brother sometimes :) He is a joy to have in our family. Happy birthday to my little buddy!