Seriously. It should be against the law for a child of mine to get this old. Look how quickly he changed in the four short years between said pictures!It would be a complete travesty if he wasn't such an awesome kid. Nine years old looks good on him. I couldn't ask for a better one to live in my house.
Jake had a great birthday but one that was extremely difficult to document (due to lack of a camera) and extremely difficult to schedule (due to the craziness that is life.) We had a family birthday party (and celebrated at school) on the Friday before his birthday. Jake requested doughnuts in class just like his brother Dylan. They were a hit again! I don't think I will ever feel pressure to buy expensive store-bought cupcakes again. If I could make them at home, that would be one thing but since you can't... I think doughnuts are a delicious birthday treat. He requested Taco Bell for his lunch and was the talk of the lunch table who all wished for a bite.
After basketball practice, we came home for presents and cake. Jake got a Sports Chalet gift card, birthday money, a digital video camera and some Bakugan stuff from his brothers. Then he had a treasure hunt to find his present from mom and dad. A set of real golf clubs - some Ping Moxies!!
Then on to cake and ice cream. I believe he forgot to make a wish which Dylan found absolutely unacceptable.
Dad was off to Sri Lanka the next day so we had to wait 2 weeks to do his birthday party. We probably couldn't have done it any sooner even still what with all the sports and other activities Jake has had going on. He decided he wanted to take 4 of his closest friends golfing and then come back to our house for pizza and hanging out.
Jake McGee, Caleb Mumford, Brandon Bouchard, Connor Lunsford and our own Jake Watson
Carter loves to be out there with the big boys!!
The boys did really well and had a lot of fun. Patrick had them play best ball so that each shot was taken off of that team's best ball - rather than having the kids running all over trying to hit from their own ball. Todd McGee was able to come help out the second threesome which was awesome. That way I was free to watch Carter and dole out water bottles - a la cart girl style. Both teams shot a 40 on the 9-hole course. Jake made 2 par's off of his "best ball" so we think his clubs work. They are quite a bit longer than his old clubs so they will take some getting used to.
Brandon, Jake and Connor enjoying strawberry cupcakes and mocha chocka latta lah ice cream. That's neopolitan for those of you not familiar with Grandpa Motley-ese.
Present time! Legos and more Bakugan. What more could a 9-yr. old want?!
Carter loves to be out there with the big boys!!The boys did really well and had a lot of fun. Patrick had them play best ball so that each shot was taken off of that team's best ball - rather than having the kids running all over trying to hit from their own ball. Todd McGee was able to come help out the second threesome which was awesome. That way I was free to watch Carter and dole out water bottles - a la cart girl style. Both teams shot a 40 on the 9-hole course. Jake made 2 par's off of his "best ball" so we think his clubs work. They are quite a bit longer than his old clubs so they will take some getting used to. Brandon, Jake and Connor enjoying strawberry cupcakes and mocha chocka latta lah ice cream. That's neopolitan for those of you not familiar with Grandpa Motley-ese.Present time! Legos and more Bakugan. What more could a 9-yr. old want?!I am so happy to have Jake as my eldest son. It's funny how the oldest can set the tone for the family - if Jake is having fun, then everyone else is too. I couldn't have asked for a more easy-going guy to be my family's peace keeper. So many days I thank my lucky stars that he has so much of his dad's temperment. He keeps us on an even keel, is patient with me and his brothers and is always ready to invite anyone into the fun. As he gets older, I worry a little about putting too much pressure on him or that he has emotions that he is holding close that he won't let me see. Patrick assures me that he is fine - I suppose like father, like son.
Jake is one of those kids that is good at everything - smart as a whip, physically coordinated, a great friend, lots of fun to be around - and yet he is nothing but humble and kind. I enjoy watching him try new things - he has a healthy self-confidence and knows that if he goes for it, he can do it. He actually said this just the other day when we were at Legoland and he was trying to decide if he was going to ride this one roller coaster. He watched it a few times and said, "It looks kinda crazy but I'm going for it!" That was something I would have never said at his age and I am glad that he is different than me in this way. I can't wait to watch him "go for it" so many times throughout his life.
My reflections of Jake feel so different this year. It's almost as if he's crossed the threshold and I can see him on his way out of his childhood, almost a "tween". Jake has taught me so many things on my motherhood journey. He was the one that started us on the road to being a family, my first born. When I look back to that time, Patrick and I were so giddy and happy. We had this beautiful new baby and a glimpse of what our future as parents would be like. So much of the time we felt like we were playing house and we would look at each other and exclaim, "Can you believe he's ours?" He is not a baby anymore but I still can't believe he's ours. I love you Jake-man! Happy Birthday babe!
This week was all about Dyls! It started out with him being the student of the week. The Friday before their week they bring home a backpack with Corduroy the bear, a story and a journal page to write things about what they do with Corduroy. Dylan took this part of the assighment very seriously and Corduroy literally went everywhere with us for an entire week. It was fun but I was a little worried he was going to get lost! Then they give you a poster to fill out. I am not that creative so I was totally glad that I didn't have to come up with my own. In case you were wondering, Dylan's favorite food is spaghetti, favorite color is red, favorite thing to do is do backflips on the trampoline (yes - he can really do them!), and favorite place is Disneyland. He wants to be an author when he grows up and if he could have one wish it would be to have a pet. Uh-oh.
Then on Friday he was the Big Bad Wolf! At our school the 4 kindergarten teachers rotate all the kids through their own specials (our school doesn't start specials until 1st grade so the kindies do their own) and Mrs. Stone is in charge of music and drama. Every couple of months or so they put on a little show for the parents during class time. Dylan was one of the big bad wolf's! He had the last part of the lines when he couldn't blow the brick house down. I was so impressed with his delivery - very loud and clear and didn't seem at all nervous!
Here he is delivering his lines. Another kindergarten class is the audience.
Dylan and his best buddy Griffin. And yes he got a haircut a few days later!
Then all the Kindergarteners participated in a patriotic parade through the halls of all the grades. It was in celebration of the President's Day holiday they had on Monday. Two classes of kids had Abraham Lincoln hats and the other two had George Washington hats, like Dylan's class. Here they are reciting the pledge before they go. They also sang our National Anthem.
Six years ago today, this sweetheart entered my life! He had a great birthday and I had a fun day reminiscing. He decided that a fun treat would be for me to bring McDonald's to lunch at school. So spoiled!
Dylan's kindergarten class at lunch. Going to visit him at school is my favorite! It is seriously so cute.
I got in trouble for trying to take pictures of the birthday boy at recess (parents aren't allowed on the playground) so I convinced him to come and sit at his desk for a quick photo. He requested doughnuts for his classroom treat which he said all the kids declared awesome.
Totally wicked! My own Wii controller! We had a nice little family party tonight. We grilled for dinner then Dylan opened his presents. He was super excited about the money he got in the mail and Life game he opened. He also got a Wii controller, nunchuk and Shaun White snowboarding game. Then it was time for cupcakes and ice cream.
Here Dylan is making the best wish ever - or so he says. He'll have his friend party on Saturday which of course I will also post about.
So here's where I get to reminisce. This is about as far back as the pictures on my computer go - I know, I need to get the older ones on here. Look at those eyes! I swear he looks exactly the same today, just in a bigger package. I wish I could climb in this picture and give this two year- old a squeeze. Those cheeks are begging to be kissed!
Dylan was easy from the beginning. He was my easiest labor - not the shortest - but the easiest. I was relaxed and ready to meet this boy. There is never a dull moment with Dylan around. He is curious about everything and always talking. He loves life and finds fun in every little thing. He is sensitive and kind. His kindergarten teacher says the girl he marries will be one lucky woman - according to Mrs. Hummel, she will definitely be treated like a princess! I couldn't agree more.
Dylan taught me a lot about being a mom - most importantly, that it was possible to take care of more than one child (I was nervous!) and possible that your heart would nearly explode with love. I was so much calmer the second time around and found myself enjoying more of the little moments. When I think back to the baby he was, I can remember quiet times when we sat nursing or lying next to him on the floor while he practiced his airplanes. The toddler that he was in these pictures was silly, busy and always laughing. Dylan is to this day, never quiet!! And never, ever still!! But truthfully, I wouldn't want it any other way. I love my crazy, happy, funny little (big!) boy. Happy Birthday Dyls!
