Dating my boy

When Mackenzie was little we started dating our kids. 

Every few weeks (sometimes more, sometimes less) Aaron or I take one of the kids out on a Mommy or Daddy date. 

Just us and one kid. 

one. kid. 

It's so good to be able to have them all to myself. 

To hear everything they have to say, to go slow (or fast...oh the things you can do with only one kid), to soak them all up and enjoy every last bit of them.

This year Wesley and I have been spoiled because every Thursday we have 2 whole hours all by ourselves while Mackenzie is still in school and my mom has the littles at her Bible Study.

It has been so much fun to hang out with my biggest little man every week. 

Every Thursday he runs out of his class with a giddy smile to ask what I have planned for the day.

Usually we go out to lunch 

or I pack us a lunch and we go out for dessert. 

Sometimes we go on a bike ride to the park (or Yogurtland...my fav). 

I don't think Wesley stops talking the entire time. 

He has a lot of say and I love hearing all of it.

Sometimes we will run an errand together (you guys I forgot how easy it is to have one kid. Especially one who can walk, and buckle and unbuckle themselves and obey instructions...well most of the time). 

The one thing I have learned is that it does not matter what we do, he thinks it is the best day ever because we are together.

Just the two of us.

It's one of my favorite parts of the week too. 

Happy 5th Birthday Wesley!

My baby boy turned 5 today. 

Seriously, how did that happen?! 

I still remember the days this boy had colic and I thought he would never do anything but cry.
Who would of known that sad baby would turn into such a joy filled young man. 

Wesley Paul,

Happy Birthday sweet boy! 

I can't believe you are 5 years old. 

This past year you have grown and matured so much. 

You are growing into the godly man that Daddy and I pray for. 

You are silly and sweet

and totally crazy!

You do stuff that makes me want to pull my hair out and then sweet talk me so I can't even be mad at you. 

 You are always eager to give out compliments and tell us how much you love us.

You are a little charmer already! 

 You love to cook and sew and pretty much help with anything Daddy or I (or anyone else) is doing. 

Unless it is unloading the dishwasher.
You don't really like helping with that. 

You are playful and have a brilliant imagination. 

 You are so sweet and forgiving. 

You didn't even get mad at me when I accidentally shaved all your pretty hair off. 

You are adventurous and love to go camping and exploring. 

 Recently you learned how to do the monkey bars like a boss. 

You are always making us laugh. 

Our family would not be nearly as much fun or exciting without you in it. 

 You are obsessed with your Bapa. 

You are the kind of kid everyone wants to be around. 

You make everything super fun! 

And sometimes (maybe lots of time) you get in trouble for having too much fun. 

You have a heart of gold.

 We are so thankful that you are our son! 

We pray that you continue to love Jesus and love others with all your heart, soul, mind and strength

 and that you grow in godliness as you grow in wisdom and stature. 

We love you big boy!! 

Happy number five! 

Stylish one

You know who the stylish one in our family is. 

"Mom, I'm just feeling really fancy today." -Wesley

Check out these other funny Wesley outfits here. 

Wesley's "spider"

This week Wesley and I sewed a "spider" stuffed animal together.

****I use the word spider loosely. 

You may have to use your imagination to see its spiderness.

Oh and apparently spiders have 8 legs, not 6. ****

The spider was based on Mackenzie's butterfly from her 100 day project. 

Wesley helped me pick out all of the fabric, cut shapes out of certain pieces and sew them to the front of his "spider",  pick out the ribbon legs and stuff the little guy with stuffing.

Honestly it kind of looks like an ugly pillow with ribbons sticking out. 

With a silly face 

a W, a heart and other random shapes on the front. 

But Wesley thinks it is the coolest thing e.v.e.r.

He sleeps with it, swings it around and hits everyone with it (your welcome everyone), plays games with it,

and takes it everywhere we go in the car (and out to dinner when I'm not paying attention). 

And as long as he's happy, I am happy. 

And I'll keep sewing with my kids.

Even if it means making ugly "spiders". 

drama

The many emotions of a 4 year old boy. 

From crying to laughing in less than 30 seconds. 

All because I made him walk to and from dropping his sister off at school (which is like a mile...maybe). 

Clearly we need to exercise a little more regularly because that was some serious drama. 

You would have thought his legs were falling off. 

Anyways, we survived and even ended with a smile.  

Happy 4th Birthday Wesley!

Wesley Paul, 

Happy 4th birthday Bubba!

You, my sweet boy, bring so much life and excitement to our family!

You are passionate, loud and brave.

I pray that you would use your voice for Jesus....that you would proclaim His truth and always stand up for what is right. 

You are nurturing and loving and the best brother. 

You are going to make a great Daddy and husband one day (and you have already promised to live next door to me forever...so don't forget that). 

You are one smart and creative cookie.
I love to see your little imagination at work.
Sometimes it is used coloring crayon on the patio (we are still working on channeling it in the right direction) and you love.love.love. scissors. You always know where the 6 pairs we own are in the house. 

You are the best helper. 

God has definitely given you a heart of service (just like your Bapa).

You love to help Mommy and Daddy with whatever we are doing and you especially love to help Mommy in the kitchen.

I'm sure one day your going to be whipping up gourmet meals for all 6 of us!   

You love your "stuffies".

Last night you had 13 in your bed. 

You are funny. Like really funny. 

You know what to say at just the right time to make us laugh. 

Heck... I just love listening to everything you have to say. 

And you have always have a.lot. to say. 

You are my little curious George. 

You love to explore and get into things that well... you shouldn't be into.  

I don't think you will be touching this stuff again soon.  

You love to redefine the rules of fashion. 

And we love to see your creative outfit choices. 

You still love to snuggle.
And be held. 

Today I asked you if you would still let me hold you when you were 100 and you said that I could. If I could still pick you up.

You are the cutest thing ever.

Seriously...such a handsome boy. 

You love to play sports and are so excited to start soccer next month!
I'm pretty sure you have more energy then all the players on the teams combined so you should do awesome. 

You have the best laugh.

Your joy is contagious. 

You are a people person.
You pretty much hate to be alone. 

And you will walk up to a total stranger and talk their ear off about anything and everything.

We are so thankful that you are our son and that you are a part of our family! 

We love you so so so much! 

Happy Birthday!

Mr. Fashinoista

My son likes to change clothes about 

one hundred times a day. 

exhibit a

Most days my kids get to pick what they want to wear. 

Which means most days they have on some ummm....interesting outfits.

But when you have 4 little people you got to let some things go.

  

We do have some basic dressing criteria...

As long as it's

-modest (dresses or skirts have to have shorts or leggings under them)

-seasonally appropriate (even this I am pretty lenient on)

-clean(ish)

I'm usually fine with it. 

  

Wesley is by far my most creative dresser.

He loves to dress up and would wear a collared shirt and vest (or tie) every day if he could. 

He calls button down shirts his "work shirts" because Aaron wears one to work everyday. 

Some days when I tell him to get dressed he comes down in jammies. 

Or boardshorts.

Some days he wants to wear jeans and cowboy boots (even if it is 100 degrees out) or his sisters flip flops.

The other day he found one of Hudson's shirts in his closet (they share a closet) and tried to put it on.  

When we told him it was Hudson's he said, "I was wondering why it was so small."

Collared shirt and Camo

classy. 

He also tends to put things on backwards

and sometimes he goes the whole day without me noticing.

It is only 95 degrees out and those clothes are only 2 sizes too big. 

He also loves this superhero dress up clothes. 

And beanies.
And his slippers.

Preferably together. 

In the middle of a hot day.

Here he is cooling himself off in front of the fan...I have no idea why he is so hot :)

Oh Wesley...life would be so boring without you! 

Thanks for always keeping us on our toes and making us laugh. 

We love you silly boy!