Aidric is SIX!!!

He had a GREAT birthday yesterday. One of the traditions we have (dating back to my childhood!) is getting to choose your meals all day. So, he started with overnight, no cook oatmeal, a bagel, morning star sausage and a pear.

Off to school!

It happened to be Portfolio/Lunch with Someone Special Day at his school and his Grandma Porras was signed up to be the mystery reader.

Aidric took over the reading about halfway through the book. 

 Picnic lunch- birthday boy's pick was subway.

 I had made some cupcakes for the occasion!

 With one of his BFF's, Jace.

Kids were allowed to check out of school after the event, and Aidric chose to come home with us rather than stay. I think he was incredibly excited about the prospect of presents awaiting him at home. He was soooo excited to open his new Jr. sized tennis racket from G&P Porras! Also a big bag of balls! He looooves to play tennis but has always used Chris and my old rackets. To have one his size will be so helpful.

Book, My Name is Not Alexander, from mommy and daddy. Great book about a little boy who dreams big and also teaches kids about a few historical "heros".  He's reading the inscriptions we wrote to him here.

Juliet and Mac had picked out a few books for him at Barnes and Noble. He JUST started reading chapter books on his own, so the new Magic Treehouse book actually elicited a small squeal. (and when I say reading chapter books on his own, let me be clear, it is painstakingly slow, but he's doing it!)

New soccer ball and "trainer"- it's a harness for the ball and a strap around his waist, so he can get the ball and it comes back to him for practice.

 We had him close his eyes and led him outside for his last surprise of the day. A soccer goal- it's actually a "return" net, so the ball bounces back. We figure we can turn it around and use it as a regular goal too.

Back inside to open his card/gift from Grandma and Grandpa Sytsma. A check and a note to tell him to go shopping for a new bike! He's soooo excited to get a new "big kid" bike like his BFF Benjamin. (He rode almost 6 miles on a bike too small for him last weekend!)

 After presents, we headed out for an early dinner. A new restaurant opened up just down the street from us. The kids have been watching it be built over the last few months and have been sooo anxious to go. Of course, Aidric chose it for his birthday dinner.

 After dinner, Aidric and Jules were sitting at the counter while Aidric read her a new Piggie and Elephant book. Mac climbed up between them and was cracking us up. He kept putting an arm around both of their shoulders and squeezing them in tight while looking at me and saying "cheeeeese!!!!"

Overall,  a pretty great day and we're looking forward to celebrating with a few of his BFF's on Sunday when we take them out for mini golf/laser tag and frozen yogurt at Menchies!