Dear Lucas (6 years and 1 month),

The last month of summer flew by far too quickly. I meant to take you swimming more. I meant to take you to the beach more. We were supposed to go on so many more adventures. The summer is just never long enough. I guess our adventures don't have to end just because the summer has come to a close.

Since your birthday fell right smack in the middle of the week we scheduled your party for the following weekend. What a fun birthday weekend it was too! Our church had a "Water Day" for the kids with a giant water slide, tons of water guns, different sized swimming pools and cotton candy. You had a ball.

The following day was your birthday party. We celebrated at your Grandparents' house just like we have done for the five birthdays before this one. Hey, it works. They have a pool and your birthday is always in the middle of the high heat of the summer. You wanted a Captain America theme and that's what we did.

During the last week of summer we tried to squeeze in as much fun as possible. We went swimming with friends, we went to Ellis Square in City Market, and we read as many Harry Potter books as we possibly could for the Summer reading program at the library.

The last day before school started we helped Joshua celebrate his 1st birthday party at your Grandparents.... for a pool party. Nobody seemed to mind another chance to take a dip in the water and eat some cake. You loved getting to see your cousins Shane and Colby again. I wish you could see them more but everyone is busy. I just hope you guys grow up to be close when you are older, especially since you don't have any brothers or sisters of your own. Your Dad and I have been trying sometime to give you a sibling but it doesn't seem to be in God's plan right now. I don't want you to think you are never enough for us... because that couldn't be further from the truth. We just didn't want you to be alone when it is our time to no longer be here.

I wasn't sure how you were going to feel on the first day of school. You were a little bummed that you didn't get to be in Mrs. S's class again but you seem to have gotten an equally fabulous teacher. On the first day of school you were up and dressed before my alarm went off at 7:30AM. Your school doesn't even start until 9. You were so excited to get to school and start the day as a First Grader.

There are a few kids in your class from last year and that seemed to make you happy. When it was time to for me to go you whispered that you didn't want me to leave. We did our "kissing hands" from the book that someone recommended when you were having a rough time in Pre-K, and that seemed to help.

You rode the bus home and you were all excited about your first day and told me that you had the best day ever. Later I got an email telling me that you spent the first half of the day hiding in the corner or the room crying. The second day of school I had to wake you up and encourage you to get up. You told me you wanted to go back to Kindergarten because First grade just had to much learning. I'm sure you just need a little time to adjust and before long it will be your first day of Second grade and you'll be wishing you were back in Mrs.B's class.

Luca-Lou, I love you to infinity and beyond,

Mama

Dear Lucas (6 years),

Happy Birthday, my sweet baby boy! It is hard to believe that you are six years old. Soon you will be starting First grade but for now I am glad we still have a few more weeks of summer to keep having fun. Here is what we've done so far:

We discovered a nearby swimming hole thanks to some friends. It's like our own little local beach.

To celebrate the 4th of July we had a pool party at Grandma & Grandpa's house and then had a cookout with friends and shot off fireworks together.

The following week we went to Saint Simons Island for our family reunion.

After our family reunion you went home with Levi and stayed with your cousins for a week.

On the way home we stopped at the gas station with a petting zoo. I realized later we had stopped there exactly a year ago. The first time we stopped there we were headed to Atlanta to have your eyes checked under anesthesia. Your Dad and I were so scared back then.

This summer you and Gabriel have decided that the two of you are best friends since David has seemed to pair off with Jake. It works out since the four of you play together quite often and nobody gets left out this way. You four usually play together while the adults play board games or chat over coffee. The four of you will also be at the same school this year.

One of my favorite things that we've done this summer was to sneak off and get frozen yogurt at bedtime. We had such a good time sitting outside and giggling together under the stars.

Your cousin Kaliegh came down from Massachusetts to visit her Dad for the summer and we got her a few times while she was here. You had a blast hanging out with her and Steven.

Your favorite toy right now are Lego blocks. Your friend Bella sent you a gift card to WalMart for your birthday and you knew what you wanted to pick out before you even got to the store- big boy Lego sets. Before know all you had were the ones for toddlers. You haven't put them down since you got them.

Last night while you were sleeping I filled your floor with balloons. In the morning you were so excited to wake up to your room decorated. I did the same thing last year and I think it is a tradition that we will keep around.

Tonight we celebrated at home and you opened presents from us and then blew out your birthday candles. On Sunday we will have your birthday party and celebrate with your family and a few friends. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

31st

Happy Birthday Curtis!

Joseph's 2nd Birthday Party

Dear Lucas (5 years old),

I have a feeling that "5" just became your favorite number. I know it sounds cliche but it doesn't seem like you should be five already and about to start Kindergarten. I think four was a pretty cool age and you packed so many things into one year (trips to Disney World and California, getting glasses, starting school.) I am excited to see what five brings.

The night before your birthday I snuck into your room and hung up a birthday banner and blew up balloons and covered your floor with them. You were so excited and happy when you woke up and kept asking, "Is it finally my real birthday? Is this my five birthday?" We got you a few presents and instead of giving them to you all at once, we spread them out through the day. I think it made all the birthday fun last longer.

I baked you a strawberry cake just like you asked for and we invited you friend Gabriel over to help you celebrate. You always seem to get two cakes every year, one on your birthday and one on your birthday party. The ironic thing about that is you don't even like cake. You just enjoy blowing out the candles.

Your birthday was pretty low key this year because we were all pretty tired from getting back from Atlanta. We had to go so that your eyes could get looked out closely. Your Dad was thankfully able to go with us and we left the night before since you had to be at the hospital so early. On the way to Atlanta we stopped for gas and stumbled on a petting zoo. It was a pretty fun start to our trip.

I found a cheap hotel for us to stay at and it had a pool so one of the first things we did when we go there was go for a swim. Knowing that you were turning five gave you a new sense of courage and you started jumping in the pool without any floats, goggles, or anyone catching you. You were so proud of yourself. Our room had a king sized bed in it and you were so happy you told us, "I'm going to sleep in the middle and this is going to be awesome because we will all be together."

The day before your birthday we got up and drove to the hospital to get you checked in and ready for your procedure. You were in pretty good spirits before hand and I was totally at peace about everything. I knew you would be okay because you had so many people praying and thinking about you from all over the world.

When you came back from the procedure you were very tired and upset and you just wanted your Mommy, so I snuggled you until it they released us. We got good news and they didn't find anything wrong with your retinas and that means no more trips to Atlanta. I don't know a better way to kick off your birthday.

Lucas, I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

Aubrie is 2

Caden's 1st Birthday Party

Last week was Caden's party, so these pictures are a little late.

More pictures HERE

Happy 6th Birthday Jadie

Nick's 4th Birthday Party

Joseph's First Birthday