Charlie was lucky enough to celebrate his birthday multiple times this year. He is a very special little boy who brightens our days with hugs, crazy stories, and imaginary play! It is amazing to me how much he has grown up this past year. For example, this morning I was getting ready and he says to his brothers "lets go boys, I'm making breakfast!". Sure enough Charles T. got a chair, pushed it over to the counter, grabbed three bowls, spoons, cereal, and milk. Then he asked Max and Linc what they wanted (after telling them their choices) and proceeded to pour the cereal and milk for them. I was silently watching the wonderful interaction between big bro and lil bros behind them and heard Charlie say to Max "now carry this to the table without spilling your milk!" Max says "ok Charlie, thanks!". haha Forget hiring a babysitting, I will just start paying Charlie to watch his brothers.
Charlie is into Star Wars, Ninjagos, golf, basketball, and riding his bike (no training wheels!). He is signed up for 8 weeks of camp this summer, two being in Rapid City. He will stay with Gran and Papa (w/o mom and dad) and go to camp with cousin Malaki. I don't know who is more excited about this, Charlie, Mak, or PAPA! On his birthday Dad surprised him by coming home early and taking him to the driving range for the first time. Charlie was soooooo excited and Tim said he did awesome. They can't wait to go again.
His party with friends this year was at the WOW Zone. We just had two school friends with us and his brothers. It was a great afternoon and totally manageable.
As every year previous, Charlie made his donation to the Theresa House for his birthday. He went to Target with Aunt Tina to pick out the things he wanted to donate and then got help from a few friends, Aaron and Heather Banks, Jess and Tate Mathiason, and Sandy and Larry Walsh. We really appreciate everyone's efforts to make this experience a good one for him. He talked about seeing kids at the shelter and how they were going to use the supplies he was donating.
(sorry I am writing a lot - so much to say about him)
Last night he graduated from preschool! He is officially ready for kindergarten! This was his teacher's last class; she is retiring after 31 years at that school. While we were leaving she stopped us to say how much she enjoyed having Charlie in her class. She said Charlie is one of her favorite preschoolers EVER (with tears in her eyes). She told us that she will be looking for his name on the honor rolls in grade school and expects that he will do great things with his life. This made my day! We already knew that Charlie has a heart of gold and a brain much more mature than his years. To hear these words from his teacher of 2 years means the world to Tim and I. Miss Terry says "whatever you are doing, it is working! Don't change a thing." Sometimes we wonder because we see the negative attitude and misbehaviors but Miss Terry says he does this at home because he knows Mom and Dad won't give him away! Very true!
Happy birthday Charles Timothy!
You are an amazing young man and we know you will be everything God intended for you to be!
Celebrating with friends at the WOW zone
(buddy Grant is sitting by him)
Charlie, Jaspir, and Grant are great buddies with similar personalities. It is amazing to me how his attitude and body language changes when he is around different people.
Max loved hanging out with Jaspir!
Daddy helped all the kids bowl. It was a pretty relaxing afternoon for me :)
His pirate birthday cake
Special frozen yogurt with brothers on his actual birthday
Making his donation at the Theresa House!
