Landon turned 5 on Wednesday, April 18th, which meant twice the celebrating since we weren't going to have his party until Saturday. So, on Wednesday, he woke up to a few presents from us and some chocolate chip muffins. Then that morning I took him, Levi, and Landon McAfee to Hippity Hop. After school, Ella, Jude, and Gabe came to play and to eat pizza and cake. I think he had a great day. However, Saturday was the day he couldn't wait for. We had a Harry Potter Party at our church annex since I went to decorate at 1:15 an hour before the party to find a baby shower set up in there. I was a little stressed, but we pulled it off without a hitch. Well, we forgot the candles, but he didn't mind. Thanks to Pinterest and my friend Becky Welch, we had a great party Potter style.

Landon is 5!

Landon at five years old you...
~love all things chocolate- especially chocolate chip cookies.

~are still a picky eater; your favorites are chicken, grilled cheese, mac n cheese, spaghetti, pizza, pop tarts, and green or blue popsicles.

~have started to say really great prayers. Tonight you even prayed for Mary Keith without anyone reminding you to.

~love your DS and Wii.

~can't get enough of Harry Potter and Bey blades

~are a great big and little brother. You help with Levi a lot, and the first thing you ask for when you wake up in the morning is Lofton, oh, and chocolate milk.

~have about learned all of your letters; we've been working hard; you pick up on that stuff really quickly.

~are really funny. You say some of the funniest things.

~are really smart. The other day I heard you tell Gabe to be careful with your Harry Potter wand cause it was fragile. When you came out of the room, I asked you what fragile meant. You said, and I quote, "It means something that breaks easily." So, not only did you know what it meant, I was impressed that you used the adverb easily instead of the adjective easy!

~are super sweet and special. You love to be held and to cuddle. Oh, and you still love your blankets, but you don't need them like you used to, which means you're growing up.

We love you very much, Landon. You are a special little boy. You mean the world to us.

A National Pastime

Yogi Berra once said, "Little League baseball is a good thing because it keeps parents off the streets!" This is so true in the sense that it sure keeps us at the ball field 5 nights a week. With both boys playing on two different teams, we couldn't be out on the streets if we wanted to, and it definetely is a national pastime cause the time each week sure passes while we spend it all at the fields.

It has been more manageable than I thought. The hardest part is just keeping Levi occupied, but he is becoming quite the fan of running around the ball park. Landon plays for the Cardinals, and he is so excited that Jude is on his team and his daddy helps coach. Lofton plays for the Pirates. Both boys are doing well, and both are liking it. Well, Lofton LOVES it. He'd play 24-7 if I'd let him. He carries his glove and ball around all the time wanting someone to throw it with him.

*I am just gonna keep adding baseball pics here all year, so if you are interested, check here every now and again for more pics.

Celebrating at Big Ds after a big win and after Jude's homerun

Cuddling up after the season's first cold game

Ella and Lofton keeping warm and entertained during a game

Lofton got the game ball Saturday, April 14th for his homerun! (He is mad because I told him we were leaving and he couldn't stay and play catch with his friends; of course, we had to turn right back around this day and come back 2 hours later.)
Grandfather, Hayden, Ashley, and Landon cheering on the Pirates

A Pirate Fan

This pic doesn't do these dirty shoes and hat justice; they were CAKED in red mud

Landon pausing to tell Levi and me hi



Hey, batter batter

Cardinal Fans


Pirate Fans Landon's game ball!

Cookie Monster

Landon absolutely loves all things chocolate especially chocolate chip cookies. Well, the other day when we were at Walmart, he asked me if he could get some cereal. So, I told him to go pick it out. He looked and found Cookie Crisp, picked it up, and said, "This is what I'm talking about!"

Big Shoes to Fill

Some shoes (especially my size 12 Pearl izumis) are just too BIG to fill.

Easter

Easter eve with Nan Nan. My granny, their Nan Nan, did what she does best on Easter Eve- told them spooky stories. They loved it.

Setting out their baskets and carrots for bunny

Shower of Blessings

I am already blessed with wonderful friends and a terrific family, but in May I will be blessed with a "sister". Dustin is marrying Lyndsey Ritter on May 19th, and we couldn't be happier for them both. She is a wonderful girl, and we all love her. We celebrated their upcoming marriage with a shower Easter weekend.

The bride to be





The girls!

My talented cousin, Micah sang and made cupcakes for the shower


Lyndsey, Micah, and Aunt Kady

Granny and Lyndsey

Church Easter Party

This was taken right before it registered that he was standing next to a giant bunny!