Happy Birthday Braden!

When did Braden turn into such a big boy? I know I could definitely see it when we brought Mason home and he was so tall and lanky next to our tiny new baby. But I look back at all of these pictures and wonder in amazement where did that round baby face go? There are lots of things that become a blur over time and can be jogged with a memory or photo but the moment he turned into this boy about to go to kindergarten I cannot grasp.

We tried very hard to make sure Braden had a very special day today. He's wanted to be 5 forever. A lot of his freinds turned 5 in September and October and he's counted the days to May 26! We started off by baking a cake last night and then having to explain that we couldn't eat it until today. He mentioned having some for breakfast, and we would have let him, but by morning he wasn't interested.

Dad bought some popsicles and juice boxes to take to his classroom today, and he had a special request for 'the things you blow in and they pop out and roll back up'
Then we had swim lessons, from there Will came over and gave him his gift, then I took the boys to eat pizza (Braden's pick) from there we headed to Kiddieland. Kiddieland is the micro-amusement park area in on of our city parks. I called last week to see what their hours would be and to my shock when we pulled up they were closed. So I called again. The lady on the phone was very non-challant about them being closed. There were no tears, but I kindly explained I had a little boy who turned 5 today and all he talked about was going to Kiddieland. AMAZINGLY she came within 10 minutes and these two had the whole place to theirselves.
While we were having all this fun, Daddy was at home with Mason and sent me 3 messages that Mason had taken his first steps, first 2, then 3, then 4! His own little gift to Braden!

Braden handing out his party favors at school. Trying to explain to the girls what Transformers are and which ones are the good guys and which are the bad!

Goofy and goofier!

Hold on tight boys! This is the closest thing to a Roller coaster Braden has ever been on!

Piloting his first airplane!

The Ferris Wheel-like cages. Makes perfect sense for this age! The man stopped it at the top a few times and Braden asked him to 'keep it going'

Sidewalk chalk set with 3D goggles from Mason. Will also got him 2 cans of Silly String and some Mini-Cars

Cardinal PJ's from Mom & Dad

He immediately wanted to put this Albert Pujols shirt on. Our friend Will is a Royals fan, so Braden gave him a quick lesson in who Albert Pujols is! We also got him this new hat.

The candle is actually a big #5 propped up in the center of our bundt cake. It wouldn't stay put on top!

Proud of himself for doing such a good job on the candle.

Showing off all the cards he got in the mail today. Not just these cards, but fair amount of cash for him to spend over the next YEAR! He also got lots of phone calls wishing him a very Happy Birthday!