Six, seriously?

This amazing kid is six already?

We got an early start to Ethan's birthday celebration at the Baylor Iowa State game with grandma Lori and Frank. They were going on vacation during his birthday party weekend. So, we had Ethan pick the restaurant and he chose Pizza Ranch! I never knew they did this birthday saddle ride/song for birthdays. 

He wasn't quite sure what to think at first, then he had fun getting the attention.
We headed to the game and Ethan spent time with grandma and Frank while Luke headed with us to Johnny's bar. NOT a place for Luke. He was weaving between all the people and heading to every food table to check out the snacks.

Found himself some popcorn!

Was looking for a nice picture with grandma. NOT happening today I guess!

Back to the birthday boy! This kid has amazed me since the day he was born. He is brave yet cautious, fun yet calm, loving, determined, hard working, and truly the best big brother a mom and dad could ask for! Many more words can be used to describe him. He has such success this year in Kindergarten. He is an AMAZING reader and known as a leader in his class. He knows how to Make a momma teacher happy! He is doing basketball right and liking it as well. His BIG new thing is skiing. He wanted to try it and we signed him up for a kids series of 3 weekends in a row 5 plus hours of skiing each time. His first day was NEGATIVE 8 degrees, second week postponed due to EVEN colder temps than the week prior, and despite the cold weather he leaves each lesson with a huge smile on his face. He knows he is not as successful with skiing as the other kids in his group, but he keeps trying!! He will get it, we will keep at it. He has one more lesson left this week.

Look at this brave kid skiing in negative degree weather for 5 hours!!

The night of his birthday we went for dinner to Dino's, his favorite birthday place. As you can tell from the picture, Luke was NOT having as much fun and he wanted to eat the entire ball of dough they give the kids to play with while waiting.

Opening one gift at home the night of his birthday.

I have decorating his door so he wakes up in the morning with a surprise.
We had a first FRIEND party. I was VERY hesitant as it seems so weird being from a small town where parents know every kid and the kid's parents. I knew 1 of his friends on his invite list. It made for a nerve racking event knowing that 5 kids were coming that I knew nothing about! It turned out fabulous. They all had a good time and Brad and I had a good time chatting about his friends from his school. Oh the stories I could tell!

Eating pizza, cake and ice cream.

Opening presents.

We also did a pinata. It was a great time filler and gave the kids something to take home. I refused to start the whole goodie bag thing for parties! Call me old school, but so unnecessary.

Grandma and Papa Weber came right after the friends and spent the night.  

They got some play time in Friday night. 

Saturday we took them to Mankato Children's Museum. It was actually Brad's first time too! They all had a good time.

Dad had fun playing too!

Luke made a parachute for the wind tunnel and everyone watched him launch it.

Grandpa Butcher, Melissa, and Kelby joined us for the party. Small crowd, but it still is so nice that family drives way up to spend time with us! We will take whatever crowd we get! Blessed!

Opening up gifts: robots, slip and slide, money, gift cards, flying Hulk, clothes, books, workbooks, and a sleeping bag. Lucky boy!

Luke and Kelby Trying out the sleeping bag

Bad lighting. Bummer. His second basketball cake and 6 candles!

Silly boys. Grandpa stayed the night after the Cyclone basketball game. Luke was amazing him by showing he knows ALL his letters. Grandpa was of course trying to trick him. These two are seriously 2 peas in a pod!

Back to this amazing birthday kid!

Every year I actually get a bit sad on birthday weeks. I get so emotional about how fast kids grow up and especially when I feel so proud about how far this 4lb baby has come! He amazes me more and more each year! Happy Birthday Ethan!