Happy 5th Birthday, Kellen!

Jan. 29th, 2011
Here are some pictures of Kellen's birthday.  I've got to admit, it was a rough one for Taylor and I.  We had just lost the baby, and really didn't feel like going anywhere, but we wanted Kellen to feel special and know his family loves him.  He really wanted to go to "the birthday place", AKA Red Robin.  (He calls it that because they have balloons there, and the employees are always singing happy birthday to the guests.) 
I'm glad we took the time, regardless of the circumstances, to celebrate the birthday of our sweet boy.  He really is a fantastic kid...

• He has such a big heart.  I've never met a more loving individual.  He's always had a very mature ability to sympathize with others, and try and make them feel better.  I don't know what I would do without his cheerful smiles and wonderful hugs and kisses.
• He is so kind to his little sister, always considering it his responsibility to take care of her and teach her the ropes.  
• He's a total clown, just like his Daddy.  
• He loves to learn!  He wants to read science books at bedtime, and he actually remembers the things we read about.  He can read small words, do small math problems, and count to 100! 
• He can draw like a pro, sing really well, and he's a great little athlete.  
• He is a friend to everyone whether old or young.  
• He's learning to help out around the house, and takes pride in doing his part.  He's been making his own bed every day, cleaning his room, and helping me with the dishes and the garbage.  
• He has a real testimony that is growing each day.  He wants to get up and share it every fast and testimony meeting, and because he can do it all on his own, we let him from time to time.

We love you, Kell!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I think this picture is so cute.

I really didn't feel like having my picture taken...

But for Kellen, I succumbed. :)

When we got home we found a card from Great-Grammy and Poppa.  It had a Super Hero on it, a "I'm 5 Today" sticker, and a five dollar bill.  Perfect.  He felt soooo special.

Gingerbread House (minus the... uhh... gingerbread)

Bare with me while I do a little Christmas backtracking. This took place in early December:

Kellen insisted on making a "Ginger House" so I let him get a bit of candy from the store. We still had a ton of Halloween cookie frosting in the fridge, so orange it was! Kellen didn't care one bit, and after all, it was his ginger house! He insisted on keeping it on his bedroom dresser all month, where he could see it all the time. He only nibbled a tiny bit. :)

The snowman was a must for Kellen.
We made his little nose with an orange Halloween sprinkle.
(That Halloween stuff really came in handy!)

This was his pose when I said, "Look down at your house!"
What a nut! I love spending time with Kellen. He makes everything fun.

Four years ago today...

Kellen was born!   And I became a mother.  My labor with Kellen was thirty hours of torturous, unbelievable pain and frustration.  Finally, he was in my arms and that all melted away.  I had only to gaze into those big blue eyes, looking up at me in wonderment, and I knew I would go through it all again a million times over if I had to, even just for this one moment.  My love for him was completely unconditional. Kellen simply had to be, and he was my everything.  It gave me a deeper sense of how the Savior must feel about us, and why he was willing to suffer so greatly in our behalf.   Ever since that day I have lived a richer, fuller, happier, (crazier!), and more meaningful life.

I love you Kellen!  Thanks for being such a sweet, good boy, who always tries to do what is right!  You are so special to our family!

I wanted to post some favorite Kellen pictures, but couldn't choose just a few, so you're getting a ton!

Sorry, no baby ones.  These are the only ones I have stored on my camera and/or computer.  Also, the pictures are in chronological order, excpet the bottom two, which were supposed to be closer to the top.  I always have formatting issues!

 Enjoy!

                         

My Little Hero

Kellen just completed swimming lessons. Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture or video. Such a shame, because he was so cute. Anyone who knows Kellen might expect that he loved the lessons, but it was quite the contrary. He was terrified. While most of the group was having a great time splashing and umping, Kellen was the kid carrying on and clinging to his teachers neck. The lessons were given by my friend Tina, who serves in the Primary with me. She gave the lessons at her parents private pool. She kept the groups nice and small with only four kids. Each group would go for forty minutes, then they were allowed to run and play in the beautiful backyard, complete with trampoline and swing set. I'm so glad we went that route (even though it cost a little more than lessons at the community pool) because without the promise of playing there afterward, I don't think I could have coaxed Kellen into participating. Not only that, but Tina was excellent with Kellen. She let him hang onto her for the whole lesson and made him feel comfortable. At the same time, she remained firm enough that he knew when she counted to three he had better hold his breath, kick his feet, etc. He was so scared, and I wanted to rescue him, but Tina assured me that if I would let her take over he would get it. So I always watched from a distance, behind some trees where he couldn't look to me for help. Each day seemed about the same, with very slight improvement. So many times he would go under and come up crying because the water had gone up his nose.Tina told him to yell, "No no, water! You stay out of my nose!" and then showed him again and again how to blow bubbles. He liked the yelling at the water part, and I think it made him feel brave enough to keep trying. She would stand about five feet away from the wall and make him swim to it. I'll never forget seeing his panicked little hands groping for that wall. I felt soooo bad for him, but trusted Tina. By day three, I was wondering if it was all in vain, and if I had just been torturing him for nothing.
Finally, on day four he swam to the wall without water going up his nose. Yea! That's all it took. Just one success and he was willing to try again and again. I'm not saying he wasn't scared, he totally was, but that's what was so cute. I could see a look of determination come across his face. He would bravely gather all the courage he could muster and try again. I was so proud of him! I don't think I would have been any prouder if he had been the best swimmer in the class. Kellen is a stubborn kid, but I can see that it will be of value to him if he will use to press on, even when he is afraid.
His new favorite game is to give Taylor, Jane, and I swimming lessons... in our living room. The carpet is the water and the couches are the walls of the pool. I think he prefers that kind of swimming, but hey, it's a good start! He definitely knows the basics! Hooray for K!

Summer Evening (Get ready for some pics!)

I love those Cheeks!

Playing with the ants.

"Cheeeeese!"

My Boyz

Jane looooves Kellen, and he is so sweet to her.

Cuteness!

Such a happy girl.

Reaching for bark pieces--- one of her favorite snacks.

She loves the flowers. Here she is smiling at the big, yellow Lilies.

Mommies Rascal

The Park

Kellen and his friend, Nate. Kellen calls him Mate.
G'day, Mate! :)

AGAIN, can't rotate picture. So sorry! I still had to post this one. I just love the joy on Kellen's face. He always reminds me to appreciate the small things in life.

Since it was Mom's birthday (the orange date on the photos is 6 days off), the kids treated me to food from my favorite restaurant, "Donalds"!
OK, so it's Kellen's favorite, and I payed, but it was still thoughtfull, right?

Jane loved the swings!