Zayden's 6th Birthday

Zayden's birthday was a bit of a jumble, but we tried really hard to make the best of the day.  We are getting new floors in the rental house (whoop, whoop!) but they were starting them on his birthday morning, so we had to rearrange furniture, and be out of the house by mid morning for a few days.

We started his birthday morning with some breakfast pizza and cinnamon rolls on a blanket where the dining room table usually is (said table was shoved into the living room entry).

And a present before he ate - a Batman learning to tell time watch.

He couldn't wait, so he opened the rest of his presents right after breakfast.

Rollerblades for my skater boy.

Zayden and Ameliya had gymnastics, so we left daddy and Evie to wait for the flooring guys and the rest of us went to the gym.  After that we needed to stay out of the house, so we went to the church to play and have lunch.  Zayden tried out his blades on the hard surface floors, and the kids all had time to play.

Chicken strips and curly fries per the birthday boy's request.

After lunch it was off to try the skate park, something the three middle kids have been wanting to do for awhile now.  He wasn't quite brave enough to try his roller blades yet, but got a good feel for it with his scooter.

After the skate park, it was time to say bye to Daddy.  He was staying back to work while the floors were being redone.  The rest of us loaded up and headed to Missouri to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Tallman's.

Harry Potter Legos! 

And his new favorite wardrobe choice - Batman hoody.

Zayden requested a chocolate cake with white frosting....and I delivered - even if it was a box cake mix and white frosting.  Somedays our best is good enough, right? 

Legos complete!!  Love the dragon.

Zayden also asked for hot dogs, chips, crunchy carrots, and long peas (asparagus roasted), and Grandma and Papa handled those requests.  I mean, I was hoping for friend chicken, but I digress. 

Let's sing one more time.  

Love this shaggy cutie.

Evie had a bit of "it's not my birthday-itis" so she got to blow some relit candles.

Happy happy birthday, Zayden Samuel.  We love you so much.

A Whole Hand + One {Zayden Turns Six}

Zayden humored me for a few quick 6 year old pictures this weekend....

...but first, a walk down memory lane....

Newborn - born November 9 at 7:17 a.m.

One Year

Two Years

Three Years

Four Years

Five Years

Today he is SIX years old.  Now he has to use 2 hands to show his age.

Zayden Samuel, how we do love you.  

You have a personality all your own.  You like mysteries and superheroes and adventure.  

You are brave and energetic and helpful when you focus in.  

You are a good friend and a sweet son and a sensitive soul.  

You are smart as a whip and witty as a court jester.  You see life as a parkour course and excel at tumbling, climbing, and monkeying.

We love you, Zayden.  Happy happy birthday, our son.

Matching Girls

Many moons ago there were two little girl cousins whose mommies bought them matching little outfits.

Natalee Cynthia (age 9 months) and Emma Joyce (age 5 years)

Those little outfits have stuck around for awhile and this weekend Ameliya made a plan for her and Evalynn to match.  

Ameliya Darby (age 7 years) and Evalynn Nancy (age 2 years).  They are older but those skirts are really stretchy and shirts are quite flowy.

At some point today, Ameliya tore her skirt, which sounds about right, and Evie's little belly was about hanging out of her top, so I guess it was a one time wonder, but I'm glad I got a picture!

Here are my little girls in the same outfits, circa 2014.  Natalee would have been almost 7 and Ameliya was about 5 months.

(Natalee & Ameliya)

Bonus picture, with that cute Colby Curtis, age 7 years.

(Emma, Natalee, Colby)

Evalynn's 2 Year Portraits

Evalynn's birthday came in a whirl of back to school, then she was sick, then vacation, and then she was sick again.  Alas, I didn't ever get her 2 year photos taken.  As the kids get older we don't do big sessions every year, and instead suffice for back school pictures, individuals taken at Christmas and during family sessions, etc., but for the first 4-5 years, I have tried to do at least small individual sessions of each child.  They really do grow so fast, as cliche as I know that sounds.  

We took advantage of the lovely fall temps this weekend and got Evie's 2 year pictures done and she was a feisty, charismatic, darling little subject.

She has such a big personality.

Pretty in purple.

Isn't she a hoot?

And a doll baby?

It's the blue eyes and the button nose for me.

Hambone.

"Mom, I'm starting to wear down here."

The hands in the pocket.  Stop...

Gappy teeth say what?

I loveS her.

You are precious to us, Evalynn Nancy.