Monday, July 27, 2015

Five Little Fingers



One whole hand.

That is how old my Colin is today. The big FIVE.

Oh my, this seems so old. So big. So independent. How can my baby boy be 5?!



This boy. He is something. Witty, smart, shy, adventurous, and caring.



He is competitive and loves loves soccer. He gets it. He gets the strategy, the control, the angles. It comes naturally to him.




 Getting to know Colin takes some work. It takes time. It does not come easy. He makes you work for it.


  But when he lets you in, when he befriends you and lets you know him, it makes all that work worth the effort.

He is loving and kind and fiercely defensive and protective. He is our little bulldog and he will fight for those he loves...no matter the size or consequence.


He is also naughty and silly and funny and feels ALL the feelings all the time...and when they are bad, you know it.


Colin is detailed and remembers everything. He can travel somewhere once and remember the directions, turn by turn. He reads maps better than his mom! (which is not really that hard to do)



This boy. He has captured my whole heart. We love him so.

Happiest 5th Birthday, my Colin. I couldn't imagine life without you.You make our life SO much better.

Just remember, you promised that you would give me lots of cuddles when you are 5, even when you are 8, and I plan to hold you to those promises! Because Colin snuggles are just the greatest.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Independence!


The Fourth of July is always a special time for us. With my oldest having his birthday on the 4th of July, there is always a reason to celebrate just a little bit longer. 
How did you celebrate?

Ours looked a little like this...


Miss Macy, water balloon helper extraordinaire.


Toddlers making great heroic stands on tree stumps.


Girl cousins frolicking towards the woods, hand in hand. 


Freshly water-ballooned boys turning 7 and asking for a flag cake because " It is ALSO America's birthday, so I should get the flag cake."
Mr. Patriotic 7 yr old.


Sometimes you just don't know what to do when everyone is singing and looking at you. 



This was the best picture we could get of the girls. So, yeah... toddlers.



Blue- eyed boys with blue tongues and blue suckers. The perfect summer trifecta.



The annual golf ball hitting on the 4th. Colin's swing is both scary and impressive.



Boats loaded down with kids, anxious to get the sandy strip up river and splash away.



The Muskegon River



Boat rides at dusk,worth the work of rowing.



When do you know that it is time for some fireworks?
When someone puts on her special celebration sassy pants, that's when.


Happy Birthday, Jack!
Happy Birthday, America!


I hope everyone celebrated and enjoyed their Independence Day!





Saturday, July 4, 2015

7


Seven years ago, this little monkey came into our lives and made it 100% better, in every way!

I became a mother for the first time and it was love at first sight!


Happiest Birthday, my sweet boy!

We love your funny jokes, your never-ending, but amazing fact knowledge, your kindness, your questions and your zest for life.

You know all the kids at your school and call them friends, and we love that you are a good friend to all those around you.

Your dance skills are also on point!


We love you SO much and can't wait to see what the year brings for you.

Time has flown by, and I can't believe that my little baby is now SEVEN!

Thanks for giving us the greatest seven years!

Happy Birthday, Jack!