A Whole Hand!

I can't believe my bug is 5 years old...a whole hand!  I always get super "reminiscy" on my boys birthdays.  I look back at the night that they were born and remember what those moments felt like leading up to their births and the first few moments after they were placed in my arms.  When I think about Joe, I think about laughter.  I remember laughing with Dean and our awesome nurse up until the moment Joe was born and I remember laughing as they announced "it's a boy!" I laughed because sweet Ben was so certain that he was going to have a baby sister and I knew he would be so surprised. Nearly every day that has followed since Joe's birth has been filled with laughter as well. 

Joey has a sweet little round, chubby face and I remember staring at that sweet face and thinking how much I loved him and couldn't wait to get to know him.  Joey was a perfect easy-going, chill baby.  In some ways he still is...though he's kind of an anomaly.  He is a wound up, crazy, laid back kid...which I know doesn't make sense, but that's our Joe.  My youth group kids call him "cool."  They adore him and truly seem to enjoy having him spend time with him.  It's pretty sweet....though kind of annoying to Ben, I think.

Joe had a great birthday.  Birthdays must bring out the best in him as he woke up in a super mood and was really good all day long.  Joe woke up super excited to "finally be five...just like Drew."  He loved his birthday gifts from mom and dad, Skylanders wii game and razor scooter with light up wheels.  Ben wanted to spend some of his own money on a gift for his brother and put very careful thought into the Skylander "guy" he bought and Skylander trading cards...do you see a theme?

Joe was excited to go to school today and take his special birthday treat..."karen with the leg" cookies that she baked for him and helped him decorate.  They were super fancy!

 

Drew came home with us after school and the boys played for a bit before it was time for Joey's family birthday party.  Nana, Bampaw, Oma, Uncle Craig and Abby came for dinner as did the Matelics for cake and ice cream.  Joey requested mexican food and angel food cake with blue icing and cherries and "plain" ice cream!

 

Joe cleaned up on presents as usual.  He and Drew were most pumped about the wood painting kit thing that Uncle Craig and Abby got and couldn't wait to start painting. 

 

Drewby spent the night and Joey went to bed with a big smile on his face, announcing sleepily that it had been a great day.