January 10th = Happy 5th Birthday Enzo!!!!

My baby, my big boy has grown up and turned 5!! It's crazy! It breaks my heart when I look at him, how big he has gotten, how developed his speech/language is, his ideas etc. It hurts! It hurts to watch him grow up at times, to know that there is no going back. We gotta get it right the first time because this is his time. We are shaping and molding and believing that he will turn into a great human being!
I look into those eyes and can't help but to touch and kiss him all the time...don't want his innocence, his preciousness to fade. I want to hold every memory in my head forever but as I have learned these past 5 years, it's impossible to remember everything.
Why do we have kids again? Should it hurt to let them grow up and fly away? (I am totally balling now) *SOB* *SOB*
5 COOL things about this COOL guy:
1. He likes to share, even if it's his last bite of his favorite cookie/candy...he'll let you have some.
2. He's gentle and caring... he always wants to rescue animals/things/people who are in danger.
3. He is sensitive...can cry quite easily, he gets that from his mother.
4. He has a great memory and he cares... he would make the best boyfriend, I swear. He recognizes a new hairdo and comments. Let's you know if you smell good or if you are wearing a ncie outfit and remembers to ask how something went. Not to mention giving flowers, just cause. He likes to do things that he knows people would appreciate. So grown up!!
5. He is creative and imaginative.

Pre-birthday party

On January 6th Ing-Marie was having a Winter Party at her house and suggested that we have a little celebration there for Enzo's birthday...it would allow for his Karlskrona family to celebrate him. And not only that she offered to make and arrange everything! Awesome!!!!...especially since I had a lot of studying to do for an exam the following week.

M and his mom chatting it up.

M decorating for Enzo's little shin-dig.

The boys all ready! Aleksander just watching the big boys!

Enzo had a major melt down.

It usually takes him a while to warm up to his cousins since it's not everyday or every month for that matter that he sees them. And usually when they do see each other it's for a few hours during a day once every 3 months, about. Not so often. Anywho...being that he felt a bit vulnerable he did not want them to sing or make him the center of attention. The mean mom that I am was like, "of course we will sing, it's your birthday, that's what we do". The melt down only became worse. So, we decided, after a few comments about it being his birthday and that he should decide, there was no singing. He got to eat his cake and drink his juice. But doesn't he get that crying most definitely brings unwanted attention?? And of course after everyone had left, he told me that he thought it was a great party and he had so much fun!! Weirdo!

All the yummy goods that Farmor baked/prepared.

Enzo got some great gifts and a ton of money. He got a helmet just like Aleksander's, which he was hoping for.

January 10th...the actual birthday!

For his birthday breakfast he wanted lemon muffins. DONE! and for dinner he wanted chicken nuggets (no surprise there) DONE!

Here he is pretending he was sleeping as we come in singing Happy Birthday!

Holding up his homemade lemon muffin. The recipe was so simple yet the muffin was so delish! He couldn't keep his eyes open because the flash was so bright.

A happy 5 yr old, who actually turned out to be sick/high fever on his birthday!

I had to study all day so Enzo got to spend the day with his Pappa. It wasn't really how we had planned the day but since I had so much studying to do and he was sick that's how the day turned out. But I think he was pleased nonetheless.

The birthday topper was getting a package from Grandma that wasn't expected to arrive until the end of the week. Enzo suddenly was hoping to get Finn McMissile Spy Attack (from Cars 2) for Christmas. Which he didn't get since we didn't know about this until last minute. However, we told him he could ask for it for his birthday. And he did. Grandma sent it but didn't expect it to arrive until that Friday (his birthday was on a Tuesday). Literally seconds after he was done opening his presents there's ring at the door. And it was the mailman delivering a package at the crack of dawn (not sure it was even 8am yet). Enzo was ecstatic! I think we caught it on video. I'll have to try and upload it later. Needless to say, it was Finn McMissile and Enzo entertained himself with him all day long.

An activity package from Auntie Carmen and Uncle Al. He got busy on that right away. He has turned into a good colorer and writer.

Aleksander giving Enzo some birthday love.

Enzo's Birthday Party!

So, Enzo had a party for his school friends and a couple friends from outside of school. He has been set at having his party at Leo's Lekland (indoor play place) ever since he went there for a party last fall. So, we were stuck. He couldn't wait for the day of his party.
It was kind of nice having them do all the work. The party package included, unlimited play time, party in a designated room, Enzo chose the Star Wars room, hot dogs, juice and cake for all the kids plus the birthday boy gets to go on a treasure hunt.

In the party room.

l to r: Holden, Olivia, Era, August and Emme

l to r: Gustav, Axel, Markus and Samuel

And Melwin, his buddy, was there. Melwin wanted to have a try at the birthday seat together with Enzo.

Aleksander helped Enzo out on his treasure hunt!

They had crazy big slides and lots of things for the kids to go wild on! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves but we won't be doing that next year. Mostly because the kids are so spread out that he barely knows who's there.

Five! Fem! Cinco! 5!

Happy New Year!!!

We spent New Years Eve with the Rosenquist and Månsson/Yeo family! Let me just say, it was a lot of fun!!! We made all the food, which did not turn out at all as we had anticipated!! But we had fun anyway...thats grownups and kids alike! It was a late night too...Aleksander went down close to his usual time but Enzo was up until 1am and then he crashed hard! He slept like a champ until 10am the next morning but was quite lethargic through most of the day. And not to mention us parents...we were definitely couch potatoes most of the day!

Jessica and Sarah getting acquainted.

Henke and Mattias

Liam

Enya with her daddy Henke.

Enzo and his buddy Melwin. They played really well together. I don't remember them fighting at any point. It was nice. You can tell that they are used to playing with each other. Fyi, Melwin goes to school with Enzo. He' s one of Enzo's best buddies.

The kids at the party: Enya, Liam (Rosequist), Aleksander, Enzo and Melwin (Månsson)

Super silly Super cute kiddies!

Time for a movie and chips! Nice! Us parents went to the kitchen and played cards.

Then it was time for fireworks! The kids were really excited!! After awhile though they got a little scared and disinterested in the show.

Group photo! See the clock behind us...12:50am. We were troopers but we paid for it the next day! But I would do it all over again! Peace out 2011 and Cheers to 2012!!

Ooooh...K Turns 33!

Yep, I turned the big 33! I don't know about these 30's. I swear I have been in a constant (more or less) crisis since I turned 30. It's like I need to find out who I really am. Can you really be going through an identity crisis at 30?!?!?

Anywho, my family near and far was great and celebrated me. My boys sang to me in the morning and family called and sang to me too. The boys brought me breakfast in bed. Yum! I got some great gifts. What more can a girl ask for...well, since I am asking, laser eye surgery wouldn't be shabby ;-)

Seriously though, it was a nice day and I am genuinely thankful to see another year! Cheers to being 33, hope it's filled with love, happiness, success and prosperity!

The red velvet cake I baked for myself.

My happy birthday guests. Aleksander was also in attendance however we managed to only get blurry pics of him.

Happy Easter!

Easter came so quickly and I really felt stuck on what to get the kids. Then Katey tipped me on a little rhyme that she uses when it's holidays, birthdays etc. "Something they want, Something they need, Something to wear, Something to read". This was super helpful and I think this is something we'll hold ourselves too when getting the kids gifts, that way you don't buy too much unneccesary stuff and everyones happy.

The boys got Easter bags this year as I thought it was a waste of money to buy baskets that can't take home with us.

And in Enzo's bag he got a Goofy stuffed animal (something he wanted), an electric toothbrush (something he needed), and American flag tshirt (something to wear) and the book about Ferdinand the bull (something to read). He was happy with his gifts.

Aleksander didn't really know what was going on.

He loved playing with paper, like all babies.

In Aleksander's bag was: a toy (something he wanted), some baby body wash (something he needed), an american flag tshirt (something to wear) and a book about hugs (something to read). It's quite simple and a rather smart idea, right?!

We spent Easter at The Hampton's house, and which Hampton's would that be...David and Elisa.

Their neighborhood put on an Easter egg hunt. FUN!

Let me just say a little something about Enzo. This trip has been amazing for him. He has really grown. He has learned to be more open and forthcoming. Talking to people when spoken to. Playing with random kids at the park, aka making new friends. I believe he has truly enjoyed the lifestyle here, that which he knows anyway. Not to mention his english vocabulary has grown tremendously. Not that he had a problem before but everyday I seem to recognize him using a new word in the correct context. Unfortunately his swedish has been getting the brunt end of the deal. He opts not to speak swedish even when spoken to in swedish. I am sure/hoping this will turn around when we get back there. I feel that due to the fact that his swedish isn't as strong as his english and he is aware of this that it truly inhibits him/his personality and thus him becoming more introverted than what he normally is. I have actually considered having a tutor to help speed the process along but maybe all it takes is us possibly speaking only swedish at home a few days a week for him to enhance his vocab and feel more confident. Time will tell...

Ok, back to the matter at hand. Easter egg hunt... In regards to what I previously wrote about him being more forthcoming, this comes with some backlash. So, it was time for the easter egg hunt. He was excited but then froze when he saw there were a ton of other kids. He didn't want to do it, but I know he would be so bummed if he didn't participate. He starts crying uncontrollably. Annoying. I get frustrated and tell him either he pulls it together and participates or he'll miss out. Mattias even tries to get him to pull it together but it wasn't working.

Finally, when the easter egg hunt was nearing completion and with me agreeing to go with him, he decides to participate.

A happy boy now, with his eater basket full of eggs...there's even a golden egg in there. I am not sure if he deserved to find the golden egg after the show he put on.

He is so beautiful!

Isaiah talking to Enzo. Isaiah is David and Elisa's 3rd child. I just have to say they have raised some kind, thoughtful and generous boys. The boys play so well with Enzo. Involve him in whatever they are doing. And when they saw Enzo having his melt down they saved some eggs for him and started hiding them once he started his hunt. They saw that he was upset and instead of letting him miss out on all the eggs they helped him out.
Thanks boys!

There's that golden egg and that happy boy!

Time for the easter egg pinata. This also called for a meltdown but it came post hitting the pinata. I think he became aware of the fact that he was on center stage and he didn't like that everyone was watching him perform. However, he sure does have a mean hit. His contact on the pinata was spot on everytime. If he could get over the fact that people are watching him he could be a great athlete.

Here's the meltdown after the pinata.

Mommy and daughter...Michelle and Danielle

A 4 generation picture. The only one missing is my grandmother, which would have made it 5 generations. In picture: Me, my great- grandmother, Aleksander, my mom and Enzo.

3 generations...Aleksander, Pearl aka Big Mama and Grandma.