Our biggest-little guy turned six on June 17! We always remember he was actually due 1 week later... which would have fallen on our anniversary, and then we smile and are thankful we at least still have that day to ourselves, or theoretically do anyway...("cause every day is kids day, don't you know mommy!?"). Then we take amazement at how much time has passed since this first little person came into our lives. He's growing into his own little self, and the last 6 years have been such a joy and blessing.
He's growing into his shirt!
He was very excited for this year's birthday as Nonna and Pop-Pop came for the party all the way from New York, and they brought everyone's favorite dog Maxie (I knew she'd help with the clean up). We had Vince's birthday party on that Saturday 6/14, and woke up early in the morning to start off the first challenge of the day, which was Vince testing for his yellow belt in Karate class!
This Karate class and belt testing event could be a complete blog post in itself.... with the forms, moves, and (?) kempos they have to learn. Vince isn't the most athletic or coordinated kid in his age group... but WOW, is he good at focusing when he wants to! He can watch the teacher do a form, and basically has it visually memorized in his head after just one demonstration. Even Sensei Susan (Vince's teacher), comes over periodically during class to tell me "can I tell you I love your kid?!", or "you won't believe what he can do after 1 demo"..... she literally has told us several times how "he's not like any other 5 year old I've taught"... while then laughing and nodding at herself as if in amazement while walking back to her class of kids.
Sensei Susan, putting on Vince's newly earned yellow belt, while his white belt gets placed ceremoniously behind him....
Next chapter in the day, his birthday pool party! Vince wanted a Ninja Turtles cake, a talent show, and a piñata. We managed to get all three of those together. The talent show was a success, and showcased lots of "karate" and "super hero" moves from different guests, as well as 3 year old renditions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Zoë), and a finale including a 5 year old hitting a pitched ball.
Happy Birthday Buddy!
The piñata event went "ok", but nearly turned into catastrophe. There was a wasps nest under Luca's baby swing that we didn't know about... until a kid swung his bat and hit the swing instead of the piñata. That ended up getting the wasps mad, and 2 kids got stung. :( One was poor Luca, the wasp got him on his belly. The other boy was a little brother of one of Vince's classmates. That poor kid got stung right between his eyes on the bridge of his nose! Luckily that was it though. Nothing that a little TLC and candy couldn't help remedy.
Post piñata bashing.
Meanwhile, Zoë and Nonna were busy cuddling and creating their own imaginary farm..
Then came Father's Day the next morning. Here's Vincent and Pop-Pop sharing an early morning breakfast of cheerios and banana.
Then off to church. Starting with the welcoming drums before hand, Mike spoke on what Father's Day meant for him. A touching and heartfelt speech
Then came Vince's actual birthday. When any one of us has a birthday, we've been going to a local diner for breakfast. So, off we went in the early AM of Tue June 17.
Vince snuck in between Nonna and Pop-Pop for a pic
Trying to get a shot of everyone! Grandma always refuses to get in pictures, but I managed to at least get this!
And the rest of the day.... was spent making Lego creations
