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!!

Let's Get DIRTY!!

Aleksander jumps on the opportunity to play in the dirt and/or water. He loves it...especially if the two are combined. And since the weather has been quite inconsistent here; some days with rain, some days with sun, there has a been a large amount of puddles and mud to get dirty in.
It's fun to watch him enjoy the different textures; water, gravel, sand, mud etc.
As long as he thinks it's fun and we have appropriate clothes or a change of clothes, then it's fine by me. Enjoy!

In one of the houses at the spider playground.

Playing in a mud puddle at the spider playground.

Now even tasting the concoction...not too yummy!

A couple of videos...enjoy!