Carter is 5!!!

May 2nd finally came and we got to celebrate Carter's 5th birthday!!  

May 2nd this year fell on a Saturday so Carter's party got to be on the real day, so cool!! He was so excited I think he woke us up at 6 am.  He had his door all decorated with his picture from the last 12 months.  It's always so fun to see all the fun things we did the whole year leading up to his current birthday.

 Then we went downstairs to open gifts.

 Carter's gift list was anything Lego's, a remote control helicopter and comfy work out clothes.

 He was beyond excited to get everything he asked for.  After he opened his gifts we did the table prizes for him and Aubrey.

 Carter has loved counting down the days this year.  Every day he did it on his own and would tell anyone that would listen how many days until he was 5.

 For breakfast he picked green pancakes.

 Then Carter and daddy got ready to go down and take his tball pictures.  Usually we do birthday parties around the noon time and I do a lunch but this year I knew we had these pictures and we didn't know the time all we knew was it was between 10-noon so we opted for a later party.  It felt a little weird not planning a lunch menu but hey it made it easier just doing finger foods.  We love that Titi gets to come out usually for the kids Birthday weekends it's always fun having her out for a slumber party.  While daddy and the birthday boy were down at the field taking pictures we worked on the Lego cake and decorating.

 When Carter got home he was very excited and loved the decorations! they picked up Carter's favorite lunch for us all, McDonald's which we enjoyed together.  Then it was back to work to get ready for the party.

 Nana and Papa were are first guest to arrive and they let Carter open his gift.

 He was so excited!! Actually I think excited is an understatement! We have just loved his new trampoline it is perfect for my spunky, wild, crazy, active boy!!!

 I had a couple tearful moments the last couple of days thinking about where we were 5 years ago!

It's amazing that with all Carter and I went through that we are here today and are so healthy.  who would have thought that the little 5lb. 4 oz preemie would be such an amazing, smart, loving, caring, awesome 5 year old.  

         

And me someone who was on a breathing tube that experienced heart failure and was told I would be on medication and in cardio rehab the rest of my life and now I run 3 miles 4 times a week and have been off medication for over 2 years.  We are so blessed and thankful for what we have been able to overcome.  I'm so blessed that I have been given two wonderful kids that I get to be a mommy too.  I think my experience has given me such an amazing love for my children.  I still get sad that the decision to have more children was taken from me but then I look at what has been given to me and then all those hurt sad feelings go away.  I truly am so grateful!   

We love you very much Carter.  You definitely came into the world a crazy way and you have filled our house with so much love and laughter.  We feel so honored to call you ours and to watch you grow.  You give such wonderful hugs and kisses and you are always there for someone when they are sad. You love to talk!! You tell so many great stories and always have something to say and share with the family.  I really hope you continue to tell me everything! Your vocabulary is amazing, some of the words you say daddy and I are surprised you know! You are brilliant and have started to do math and are interested in learning to read with your sister.  You are such a picky eater you actually hardly ever eat.  You are so busy running around it's super hard to get you to sit down.  At the doctors this week for your check up you weighed 37 lbs. 25% tile weight and you were 3 feet 7 inches 50 % tile for height.  Your doctor said you are a very active 5 year old.  When you do eat your food of choice is chicken nuggets and blue berries.  You are so excited for kindergarten and I actually am doing okay with that since you will be going to the half day kindergarten down the street.  You love animals and catching bugs.  If I would let you you would play the Lego game on the wii U every day all day and you would watch the Lego movie a 100 times a day.  You love bike rides and me to carry you still. Your smile melts my heart and I just love you so much bud!

Happy 5th Birthday!  

Does Carter really have to turn 5?

I have asked that very question over and over the last week, does my baby boy really need to turn 5?  Carter has been thrilled all week leading up to his birthday and I have tried to hold back the tears and be excited for him.  He is seriously the sweetest little guy and I have so much fun with him.  He was such a big help all week getting ready for his party.  He would say the cutest things in the car like, "mommy I'm just so excited!" or  "mommy did you know I can do so many more things when I'm 5." During one of our conversations I said to him, "Carter I'm a little sad you are turning 5" he responded with, "It's okay mommy even when I'm 5 I will still be your baby." His thoughtfulness and love for others just melts my heart.   We had a great week gearing up for his party and all the preparations that it takes.  

The day before as he called it his Birthday eve we had fun starting to decorate and pampering him up.  Daddy has been cutting his hair the last 5 years and then I decided I wanted him to have longer hair but it was growing out kind of crazy so I though a trim would be good with a professional.  I forgot Super cuts is not very professional and while I do like how Carters hair turned out I do think daddy does a way better job and for free.

 After his hair cut we made it just in time for Aubrey's award ceremony.

 Filling the pinata was his favorite activity.

Wouldn't you know we had beautiful 70-80 degree weather and the the week before we were in the 90's! Hello summer and hello sprinkler fun!

 We did all our Costco shopping and had an extra kid with us.  Kendall is so adorable and calls us her adoptive family.  We love having her hang out with us.

Tball

 Carter's first game was Monday April 27th.  He did great! He played mostly 2nd base which kept him very busy.  He is good at catching ground balls and throwing it to 1st base.  He is also really good at hitting.  I will be honest I was a little disappointed at the first game I had know idea that there are not outs in Tball and that all kids get a turn to bat every time.  I was looking for some real baseball lol! I guess it's better to introduce being a good team player and being fair at such a young age.  We were pretty sad that dad had to miss the first game since he teaches on Monday nights but he will be able to make a game this week and we are excited about that.  It was cute in the car down to the field I was talking about the rules of baseball to Carter and Aubrey and Carter asked, "so when do we battle?" I think he thought there was going to be some kind of fighting involved, lol.  It was a fun game and so fun to cheer my little guy on.

Little Ms. Hollywood on the sidelines!

We can't wait for a fun season ahead!

I love our life!!

 A couple of these pictures are actually before the zoo trip.  The first few are from Saturday April 18th.  We took the kids to the little kiddie land in Merced and had a great time! I always forget we have this little area with fun rides and it's so cheap! We had a wonderful afternoon and I think only spent five bucks! It was fun.

 Monday April 20th this cool plane landed at Castle.  Carter worked his cute charm and even got to go on the wing and check it out.

 The kids love their new crayola come alive coloring books.   My phone has so many selfies of them with their creations.

 Okay now we are back on track with the dates.  

Wednesday April 22nd was Earth day.

Trying on his new uniform. 

 (please tell me why would the city order medium and large for 4 year old tball players?? At least Carter got one of the only 2 mediums but is still swimming it!)

 Carter and I love our afternoon bike rides to the different parks all around us.

 Deuce likes them too.

 He actually does really well running along side us but this day it was very hot and he actually was kind of under the weather for a couple of days but is much better now.

This was such a sweet moment:

 Friday April 24th Titi came out for the weekend and to go to Carter's baseball parade and big opening game on Saturday.  Well Friday came and not only was Deuce sick but Carter had the stomach flu and daddy got strep throat.  Our house was filled with sick boys! Aubrey and I were happy that Titi still came out and we got to have a girls night of Panera Bread and some fun Target shopping.

 Saturday morning Carter woke up so much better and ready to play ball but wouldn't you know the one rainy day would be opening day!! so sad!! All the games were cancelled.  Nana and Papa were going to come out too! All our plans had to change.  Since the boys were wanting to take it easy and get better and it was a rainy day we all decided it would be fun to go see the new Cinderella.  It was so good!! One of my all time favorites.  We all really enjoyed it.

 Sunday for church I did Aubrey's hair like Cinderella it came out so beautiful I think. 

 She is so pretty!

 At church we sang to Carter.  His Birthday week had officially begun.

 Sunday afternoon Aubrey and I made dirt for dessert in honor of Earth day that week.

We feel so blessed to have such an amazing life with so many fun adventures and great kids and family to share them with.