the big day!

van's birthday was friday june 5th. he has been looking forward to this day for almost 2 months, each night marking off a day on his calendar and counting down the days, getting more and more excited as the day approached. he wasn't really into his birthday last year, so with him being so excited, i wanted to make it a really special day.
he woke up to the traditional "happy birthday sign", b-day donuts, and presents. we kept saying, "van, there's something different about you today, you look bigger or something". he liked all the attention:)

jasmine had a half day at school, and freddy came home and took us all out for van's birthday lunch. he chose braum's because he wanted a "double scooper" ice cream cone afterwards (he thinks it funny to take pictures pretending like he's asleep).
then we made some last minute preparations for the "friends party" the next day (filling up water balloons, picking out the cake, filling the pinata, etc.). i let him do all the planning and make all the choices on how everything would play out. he was really into picking out things like what kind of plates and cups to eat the pizza and cake on, and what candy would go in the pinata. i told him that only 6 year olds get to make such important decisions. he was feeling pretty big.

so on saturday, he was ready and had everything planned out for the party.
first pizza and presents with the birthday guests, connor, cameron, and benjamin...

then off to chuck e. cheese for games and "transformers" cake

back home again for the pinata and water balloons. whew! we did alot, but got everything in that the birthday boy wanted to do. he was so happy, and everyone had a good time!

van at 6, is the sweetest little boy. such a good helper, and very obedient. he's doing very good at learning right from wrong, and very much wants to do the right thing. he loves being outside and is fascinated with everything out there...bugs, trees, water, plants. he's been my best little buddy during the day this past year, and we've had a lot of fun being together. secret hide-outs, making tents, playing baseball, reading, cooking, and being "mama's boy" all day. but it's a whole different story when dad gets home...he sticks to him like glue. i don't mind though, i love that he has a dad to look up to and have fun with and learn from. those two are like best buds, playing video games, laughing and joking, playing ball, working on cars and doing projects around the house together...it's just what van needs.
we have a bedtime routine and read books together every night. i love that time with him. i love that he will still hold my hand when we cross the street, and let me love on him. i love that at random moments he'll say things like, "mom, i love you forever and ever, infinity plus 300,000 triple, and it never stops". so then i'll say the same thing and add one more infinity, and he'll say "i love you more than that". (pretty cute)
he's just an all over great kid and i'm lucky to be his mom.