Jacob 5th bday party & sleepover

Tonight we had Lauren and Tyson, Ellie and Hailey, Tara and Gene, Braden and Annie over for bday cake and ice cream. (We missed James--he was busy with church duties). Gene and Braden gave Jacob a catapult toy from “How to Train your Dragon.” It was fun, and worked quite well—maybe a little too well (we about knocked Tara out with it a couple of times). Ellie painted Jacob a rainbow and said “Happy bday” on it, brought him a little bag of treats as well. Tonight we kept Gene and Braden, Brian set up a tent while the boys watched part of a movie. Although when they knew that the tent was up, they came right up to check it out. Got them ready for bed, had prayers, tucked them in at about 9:45. Gene and Braden fell asleep around 10:45, Tyler and Jacob were still up until about 11:45. Gave me time to work on some primary stuff, and Brian revised his article.

Happy early 5th bday Jacob!!!!

another birthday surprise for Jacob

Jacob was so excited when the mailman rang the doorbell and he looked outside and saw 2 big packages with a J for Jacob on both of them!!
One from Grandma Freeman and one from Aunt Julia.

He was SO excited!!

Jacob's 4!!

Can't believe this boy is 4 years old! When Brian and I first got married, Deborah had a 4 year old and I remember thinking that sounded so old. And now we have a 4 year old of our own. Time FLIES! Jacob was so sweet on his birthday. Before he even ate any treats hanging from the door (a Freeman family tradition we love!) he picked one off and shared it with Tyler first. He shared everything so so well all day long--his treats, his cake, even his new toys! Made it so fun to spoil him today!

To sum Jacob up right now, he is such a good helper and a good worker. He has a ton of energy and is high intensity all day long, and so the trick (and the struggle) is to channel that energy into positive things. And while that can be hard to stay on top of all day long, it is also so fun to watch him work so hard at projects and chores, which he gladly takes part in. He always wants to be in the middle of the action...has always been like that. He is such a good big brother...takes such sweet (and patient) care of Tyler, and helps so wonderfully with Blake!

Even shared his ice cream with us!

Went simple this year. Jacob loved his cake...was dying all day yesterday to use the mini trucks on top to scoop up icing and load it into the dump truck! Was the first thing he did when we got his cake out tonight.

Talk about fancy! Just kidding. Kids...or at least boys...could care less what the wrapping paper looked like. The easier to remove, the better.

Jacob checking out his treats. Peeps were his favorite. And he gave one to Dad before he even ate one himself.
Have been saving this sleeping bag since last summer's yard sales. Was pleasantly surprised it had a car track on the inside of the sleeping bag. Fun.
Jacob's best buds.

German pancakes for breakfast...Jacob always eats as much as Brian on german pancake mornings.

Tyler starting his feeding day off with a bang. Milk everywhere BUT in his mouth.

Playing his new game...Go Fish...with Dad.

Had an easter egg hunt since tomorrow's easter. Lots of fun treats on Jacob's bday.

My handsome little man...ready to fill his bucket.

Huntin' for eggs.

Boys and sticks...need I say more!

I hid Brian's egg good this year...on top of the garage. He finally found it.

Spikey with his walker.

Make a wish!

And finally! he got to scoop icing with his little trucks.

Set up the tent inside the boys' room. Jacob loved it. Tyler was so excited and surprised that we let him sleep in there with Jacob. He usually is bound to his crib because of his feeding tube, but we made an exception tonight. Took the boys about 1 1/2 hours to fall asleep...that's when you know they had a great time!

One happy little Tyler. Feeling like a pretty big boy.

Goodnight birthday boy!

And the birthday fun keeps on...

Home again after such a fun weekend!

Jacob had two more birthday packages waiting for him when we got home. A playdough set (which Jacob LOVES--we've all had fun with this actually. This was our family home evening activity tonight!). From Aunt Julia (my oldest sister).

Tyler did pretty well with it too. The one Tyler's playing with is sand textured, which is pretty cool-feeling.

Thanks Julia!

And a buffalo and mini M&M's from Grandma Freeman! And some money to do something fun with! We're planning on using it to take Jacob to the Memphis Kiddie Park (a little amusement park just for kids) just a few minutes from here. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!