Celebrating 5 Years!!

Sept 8, 2007 was a GREAT day!  In some ways, it seems like it was yesterday.  In other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago!  But in all ways, it was a GREAT day!!

Little R turned 5 years old on September 8th.  Once again it was a VERY low-key celebration, since we are in Germany with no family and very few friends.  We had a "virtual birthday party" on Skype with MiMi & PaPa.  They got to sing Happy Birthday with us, and see him open his present from them.  It's not quite as good as having them here in person, but thank goodness for the technology of Skype!!  Not sure how any of us would have made it through the last year without it!

It's been a pretty busy year for Little R!  He has moved into a different house since his last birthday, and has settled in quite nicely.  He has gone to 2 German kindergartens, and loved both of them!  He has learned to ride a bike!!  He has learned a small vocabulary of German words...mostly numbers, colors, etc.  He has been on numerous trips to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, and many more here in Germany!  He has discovered Legos and Playmobil, and LOVES them both!

And just this last week he has started pre-k and his first season of soccer!  He is doing GREAT at both!!  MiMi asked him yesterday how his new school was, and he said "PERFECT"! 

Overall, this has been another year of blessings and challenges for our family.  But everyday we are grateful to have this little guy be a part of it. We can't imagine our family without him...he adds so much laughter and drama and energy to our mix!

We love you Little Man!  We are enjoying watching and guiding you in your journey!!  We can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you!!

First day of Prek-K!!

Our Little Soldier...

R's pre-k building...not the nicest looking place, huh? : )  But it's some historical building, so they can't make changes to it...

They have to sign in each morning...too cute!

Immediately making friends!  He had this guy laughing with his Mr. Potato Head creations!

First soccer practice!  He was feeling like a "tough guy" because I told him his "Superhero Socks" would keep him protected!

First soccer game...on his birthday!  He scored his first-ever goal...it was just in the wrong goal!!  But it was a great kick nonetheless, and we are still very proud of him!

He had to make sure we were watching him at.all.times!

Skypin' with MiMi & PaPa!

Seeing his first gift, from MiMi & PaPa...very excited little boy!

Both gifts...Playmobil, of course!

Monkey cupcakes for our "little monkey"

Can't believe he's FIVE!!

Making a wish and blowing out his candle, while MiMi & PaPa watch!

His new dragon castle, all set up!  He played with it lots yesterday evening, and has already played for HOURS this morning!  He keeps saying "this is a great castle"!