5 Predictions for Year 5

5 Things I See for Owen this Year:

#1 BIKE RIDING

Lucky guy received a great hand-me down bike from his cousins in Austin for his birthday. Thanks Keely and Kaden! On a side note, I also predict that Michael will begin the corrective chiropractic care needed to remedy the hours spent hunched over trying to teach Owen.What was your first "big kid" bike like? Mine was a Strawberry Shortcake one that I soon ditched for a blue BMX-ish bike to ride around the neighborhood with Cameron Enterline. Aaah, elementary school!


#2 STAR WARS WILL LIVE ON

Thanks to our dear friends Rae and Bert, Owen was introduced to the old Star Wars movies last year, and his affection has not waned. So, this year, we did a themed party at the house. We had a lightsaber cake, asteroid hunt, and homemade lightsabers to take home (none of those an original idea...what did moms do for ideas before Google?). I do not see this interest fading, especially after generous family members helped him along with some cool vehicles for his action figures.



#3 HE WON'T BE LONELY

These friends from church, school, and a couple of "arranged" friendships have been an answer to prayer for us. Owen loves these guys and was very clear about his invitation list.

His seat partner at school, "Ci-Ci". That's his nickname for Crystal.
Caleb, Ryan, Jadeyn, and the birthday boy. Owen loves J because "she likes Star Wars just as much as me!"

Trinity is another buddy from school. She has the best laugh...this huge trucker laugh comes out of this little petite preschooler. I love it!
Casen...who won the award for farthest distance traveled for cake (from Abilene).

#4 HE WON'T DISOWN US

Wait...kids can't disown their parents can they? What I mean is that he knows a good thing when he sees one, and our family is a good thing!

Owen mentioned the other day how he likes being here in Texas. He said, "I like this apartment better than going back and forth, back and forth on the plane and in the car." Me too, me too. Here's to loving family and friends.

Grammy and Trish (Trinity's mom and my friend)
Aunties Wendy and Julie (whose sons Ryan and Casen are in an "arranged" relationship with Owen...friends because mommies are friends...luckily, the boys have fully embraced it!)

Molly and Mr. Tim (Miss Debbie was in class with Mom)...Molly gets the non-family award for most Owen birthdays attended. She has signed 3 of Owen's 5 birthday books. (Every year we get Owen a book for his birthday and all party attendants sign it with a message).
Miss Kristen (Jadeyn's mom and Owen's Tuesday Bible class teacher)
My absolute FAVORITE pic of Owen lately. Genuinely enjoying his Opa. Sushi had her end of semester presentation for her grad. school class, so she was not there this time. :(


Grammy and Pee-Paw

Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Lee (and "Biscuit"...my niece or nephew, due in November!!!)

Auntie Julie again with Baby Chloe...last time we were going over to their house, Owen ran up to June when she woke up and said, "Guess what, Junie?! You get to see Chloe today!" in his best smoopy-woopy-saccharine baby voice. Yes, June and Chloe are also an "arranged friendship".

#5 READING, READING, READING!

No pictures of this one yet, but I am so excited about the pre-reading skills that are transforming into actual reading. I try not to project too many of my interests onto Owen, but as a bookworm, my heart does flip-flops when he identifies a sight word, sounds a new word out, or asks me to read with him. Reading was my favorite thing about kindergarten...which is only a few months away. I hope that reading gives him freedom to explore his interests more deeply, nurture a passion for God's word, and foster the awareness that there is a greater world outside of himself.


Lastly, I'm just putting this one in to remind ourselves that some little apples don't fall far from the tree. Here's Ryan K. at Owen's party...And his dad Charles K. with June last month...

I love our friends! Thank you all who were able to come to celebrate Owen, and thank you to our "faraway" friends who called, emailed, texted, snail-mailed, and prayed birthday blessings to Owen. We love you!

Easter Bunnies

He is Risen! What a joy to celebrate Easter with our family. Here are some pictures from Easter Sunday. The Arnolds and McNeeses had brunch at my mom's house (amazing!), and the little ones got all dressed up for the event!

June's first Easter. Yes, if you look closely on the sides, you will see some curls sprouting. She will have hair! It might be a "skullet" for the next few months, but locks of love, here we come!


Showing off the cute bib Donna Jo made for June...also showing off a bit of flexibility. I see a gymnastics class in her future!


Tired, but happy.

My niece Abilene thought the hunt started a little early.
Hurry, sister, because Owen is on the hunt!

Cheerleading!

Little big man:


Who needs toys when you have paper? June's favorite objects of interest are #1 paper or any other "crinkly" object #2 bags (I often fill a canvas bag with random household objects and she will unload that for a loooong time) #3 shoes.



I won't wear a bow on my head, but one foot tall bunny ears, why not?

May you too experience new life in Christ! Happy Easter!

Need a Little Laugh?

Michael's mom figured out how much June likes this giraffe, so we've been trying to teach her how to do it herself. Giggly video.



This was a couple of weeks ago. She is army crawling pretty quickly now.

Babe in Arms Class

The Roanoke Public Library has a free Babe in Arms class conducted by Miss Ann. She leads songs, reads books, teaches signs, and demonstrates new infant massage techniques. Big brothers and sisters bring dolls or stuffed animals to be their "babies".

June got to be her "model" for a bit last week.






Here's a zoomed out shot to show how fascinated Owen and Ryan were by the whole process:
Next time, I'll remember to take pictures of Spooky receiving his massage.

Owen and Casen

We hit the road during Spring Break to visit our dear friends in Abilene. Among A-town's attractions, "The Grace". A former hotel now serving as a museum and cultural hotspot, they also have a children's space upstairs.

Here are the pictures we will show the boys later in the whole "you've known each other FOREVER" conversations.

Driving the ambulance...



Playing in the tree house bubble...
I like this one because you can see Wendy's reflection.


10-4 Good Buddy...
Owen's "Our friendship might soon be strained if I don't get my turn next" face

Solo-driving...coming to a road near you in 11 years.

Easter at the Ranch

The school where my mom works (aka The Ranch) had an egg hunt for teachers' kids and grandkids. Here is June, happy to hug on Sushi's neck.


Here's Mr. Cool, putting out the vibes to all the kindergarten ladies. How you doin'?

Sibling love (in front of the matching Aslin girls too...they are SO cute!...shame I cut their heads off).

Got one!

Here, you want it?

June surpassed her previous bow wearing record (10 minutes) by being distracted enough to keep it on for over an hour! She may be a true Texas girl after all.

Owen inspecting the loot. When asked why we celebrate Easter, he responded, "Treats." With a lot of reteaching this week, he's able to share the Resurrection story. Shame we're undoing all of that effort with more treats! But then again, I can't raise the dead so my object lesson there may be a little weak. ;)


And finally, June with Charles. We made a trip to Dallas for Ryan's 4th birthday, where June got to wear a ring toss tiara and develop a life-long attraction to men with extreme facial expressions.