Zeke turns 7

Zeke wanted an Octonaut party this year.  We chose an orange/blue/green theme and ran with it.  We made cupcakes and played games with a couple friends and family.  This was a strange birthday since we moved, but it was really really good too.  I can't believe he is 7.  The whole day I just kept thinking back over the day he was born and all the details of him so tiny.  

A tissue paper banner

cupcakes

Breakfast for the birthday boy

Octonauts banner

He is really 7

Interview with a 6 year old

Nicknames Zeke, Zekers
How old are you? 6
What is your favorite color? red
What is your favorite animal? ram
What is your favorite book? 1001 Things to Spot books
What is your favorite TV show? Wild Kratts
What is your favorite movie? Planes Fire and Rescue
What is your favorite song? Disney songs
What is your favorite food? chicken, pizza, breadsticks, fruits
What is your favorite drink? kool-aid, lemonade
What is your favorite breakfast food? butter toast with no crust
What is your favorite snack? crackers, pretzels, chex mix
What is your favorite outfit? running shorts and shirt
What is your favorite game? sports
What is your favorite toy? rescue bots
Who is your best friend? Ben
What is your favorite thing to do? play
What is your favorite thing to do outside? play basketball
What is your favorite holiday? all of them
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? stuffed animals, books, and cars
Where is your favorite place to go? Great Wolf Lodge
What is your favorite restaurant? Red Robins
Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney World
What do you want to be when you grow up? Olympian
What did you do on your birthday? flew planes, have fun

My 8/8/08 baby turned 6

Zeke's birthday was on a Friday this year and he was tracked out.  We let him pretty much plan the whole day.  We started it with cake for breakfast and presents from us.  We let him choose lunch and dinner.  We had a great day telling him about the day he was born and how exciting and unexpected it was.  His party was a Planes:Fire and Rescue party and was supposed to be at the airport.  We had to move the party to our house though because of the weather.  We themed out everything in orange, blue and white.  We made paper airplanes, threw paper airplanes and gliders through different hoola hoops, my sister in law even made balloon animals (which let's be honest was the H I T of the party). We had cupcakes from a friend who is raising money to go on a mission trip by baking.  Ya'll they were amazing and she even made a big cupcake for Zeke.  It was so sweet and special.  He had a great 6th birthday!

birthday morning

birthday cake breakfast

birthday selfie

his huge cupcake

Happy happy birthday to our boy

First day of school

Well, we did it.  We sent him to kindergarten.  I walked him and neither of us cried... well I didn't cry until I got back to the car.  He had a great first day.  He was a bit nervous, but we are really excited about his school and the year he is going to have.  And for now, we just know we have to make it to July 26 and then he has a break ;)

First day of school pic!

Ben wasn't as excited as Zeke

Once he got settled, he hugged me and let me leave

Photo dump- Zeke

graduation

Zeke graduated from preschool.  We have loved our year at Tabernacle.  His teachers, Ms. Jill, Mr. Scott, and Ms. Kim,  have been great with him.  He has flourished this year.  He is reading chapter books and doing math in his head.  Best of all is that he has really matured this year.  We are so proud of him and are confident that he is ready for kindergarten.  Ben had a great year too.  We loved his teachers Ms. Kim and Ms. Cindy.  They loved him and knew exactly how best to teach him.  We look forward to him being there again in the fall.

Zeke and his teachers

Zeke's best friend from his class, Caleb

Our family :)

Zeke's writing journal

Zeke's play debut

Zeke got to play the "Little Red Rooster" in his class puppet show.  He got to read the entire story aloud.  We were so very proud of him.  He is loving reading and is so very good at it.

Zeke's first Heels basketball game

Spence got to take Zeke to his first basketball game with Mr. Carl from church.  He had the best time.  Thank you Carl for loving our Tarheel loving family and sharing with us. 

My big boy

He lost a tooth!  He lost a tooth!  My baby, who worked so hard to get those teeth in, who cried and fussed and was up at night teething what seems like days ago.  Two days before his birthday, lost his first tooth.  And neither Spence or I were even there.  He pulled it out with Nana!  But he called and sent me a picture.  I still can't believe it.

Zeke is 5

Zeke at 5

How old are you? 5

Who is your best friend? Lincoln (Short) and Ben

Fave things to do? go to the movies and see Planes 

Favorite color? Orange

Favorite Foods? bread, french fries, chicken, biscuits

What do you like to do with your family? Go on a walk

Favorite toy? Sports

What do you want to be when you grow up? Race car driver

What makes you happy? Fireworks and light up stuff

What is your favorite show or movie? Wild Kratts and Planes

What's your favorite book? my Cars sticker book

What do you like learning about? letters and numbers

What is your favorite number? 4

What's your favorite game? hide and seek, catch me if you can, and racing

A whole hand

Zeke loves
orange
TarHeels
Wild Kratts
Planes
Running laps
Ben and Lincoln
Playing games

Zeke's ER visit

Well, another ER visit in the books.  I was running an errand and when I got home, Zeke had banged his head while playing in the house.  I headed to the hospital with Zeke.  Once we got there, they told us he would need two stitches.  He was the calmest, most laid back kid. I was amazed at how awesome the staff is at the Wake Med ER in Brier Creek.  

School Days

My boys are in school.  My boys are in school.  My boys are in school! I can not believe that this is happening.  Zeke is going four days a week and Ben is going two days.  So weird!  Ellie and I are looking forward to having some girl quality time.  But man am I going to miss those boys.  I know Ben is going to have some serious adjustment to not having Zeke around.  I know Zeke is going to have some real transitioning to not being with mama all the time.  And me, well, I have so many thoughts about this whole thing.  I am pro-not homeschool.  (meaning I really do not see me homeschooling my kids) But holy smokes people, leaving my boys with strangers, not being with them every moment, not supervising who they are hanging out with.  This is seriously hard stuff.  But I can do it.  I know I can.  (more posts coming on all this as I am processing it)

We made teacher bribes... I mean treats for the first day.

Zeke's first day

He was so excited to find his name on his desk

I wanted to just go and help him unpack his bag, it was so hard to let him do it all on his own!

Please, mamas, tell me I'm not alone here!

This smile is what made me know I could walk out the door

Ben started the next day, and was so very excited about going to PREschool (you gotta hear him say it)

The backpack is as big as him

I was shocked at how easily he went in, gave me my hug/kiss/noses and went on his way

This picture was taken while I was spying through the window. (totally that mom!  who is this woman?!)