Picking up some CHICKS!

The long awaited time has come....  it's CHICK time!  Tyler has asked for three years if the boys were old enough, and finally, they are.  That we went and picked them out on Wayne's birthday was even that much more special! Each boy picked their own, and Wayne named them all:

Wayne picked a fluffy yellow one, with feathers down it's legs, that will turn white.  He named it "Wayne."

Weston picked a black one, and Wayne named it "Weston.

Wyatt picked a tricolored one, and Wayne named it Wyatt.

Now, according to my receipt, we bought an Ameracauna Pullet, an Australorp, and a Light Brahma.  When my aunt asked me if we bought "layers" or "fryers" I told her, "We bought CUTE!" 

Upon further Googling - all are officially layers, with either blue or brown eggs.  Now, to lay eggs they would have to survive that long, and stay cute - so we'll see!

 

I know someone who would like to keep them!!!

Flashback in time... 13 months ago, our lawn was mowed!

Dear Weather:

Please send the sun to dry up all the soggy ground.  Please send weather above 50 degrees.  Please take the rain back, we're sick of it.

Sincerely,
The Silves Family

He's got PERSONALITY!

Tonight the boys were all in the kitchen.  Weston let fly a HUGE burp.   Wyatt took one look at him, then opened his mouth and let his own fly.  I tell you - you would be SHOCKED to hear such a MANLY burp from such a tiny boy!  The best part?  After Wyatt was done with his "business" he burst into giggles, knowing he had just out done Weston's almost equally impressive burp.  Weston's response?  He hugged Wyatt and laughed hysterically.  Wayne looked over and said, "You both should say excuse me, but you can't talk!"

Wayne's Fabulous FIFTH Birthday

When it comes to birthdays at the Silves house - it's go big or don't celebrate!  :-)  My mom made birthdays VERY special for me, going above and beyond every time.  I know how that made me feel, and I want our boys to have that too!

The day started out with Wayne sneaking into our room around 6am, and asking "Is it my birthday today?"   YES!  Here's the very first picture of Wayne when he was FIVE.  

 After snuggles and getting ready, we headed downstairs.  Wayne wanted basketball pancakes with blueberries and bacon for breakfast, and so while Tyler and I were in the kitchen, we let him have one present early - his Dora movie!  Now this was no everyday Dora movie... I had it made, featuring WAYNE and the episode is called, "Who's birthday is it?"  He was THRILLED!  Gave me time to make those pancakes!

 After breakfast...  it was time for his presents.  A five year old just can't wait much longer past breakfast!  Wayne was shocked and overjoyed to see he got his very own DS - big stuff!  He is just loving it, and is following the rules and putting it down when we tell him too.  Doesn't he look smart in his glasses?  Not one complaint of a headache!

 Weston helping to open his first set of Reader 1 books.

 Uncle Deryl and Aunt Shari were at State, but they gave him his present to open on his birthday anyway - a bug vacuum!  Some seriously fun times have been had with this "sucker" (pun intended) already.  Won't it be weird to have a boy with a birthday at State someday?  :-)

 After things settled down - we were off to the Lynden public library for Wayne's very first library card, and story time with the Cat in the Hat!

 Wyatt wasn't as impressed as the rest :-(

 Checking out....

 We worked up an appetite, so next stop - Uncle Donald's!  It was quite a crew between family and even friends we happened to run into:  Joel +2, Amanda + 2, Jen +3, Grandpa & Grandma, Aunt Debbie, Breanne +1, Tara + 1, Tanya + 2, Kristy, and our own family of FIVE!  We had so many people - the manager came and told me thanks for the business! 

 I've got plans for this picture of Grace....

 Whew!  It was time to take a rest after all the fun, so we divided to conquer.  Tyler and Wayne and Weston headed home for naps and party prep, and I took Wyatt to the doctor to follow up on his head to toe rash (not contagious, but will last 1-2 weeks) and get our car from the body shop, then I went to Elenbaas to buy the baby chick supplies we were going to need, because as soon as the boys woke up from naps, we were going back for BABY CHICKS!  Each boy got to pick their own - more on that later!

 Next up:  Pizza!  and then a PARTY!  We had ice cream cake and other snackie things, and Wayne came up to me later and told me, "Thanks Mom, that was a really fun party!"

 Wayne wanted a basketball cake, and a basketball court for a cake.  DONE!

 As the party was dying down, Alyssa and Brenna spent some time coaching Wayne on how to get started and play Mario Brothers on his DS (Grandma gave him the game.) He LOVES it and is now on level FIVE!

 Sisters, hanging on the stairs after serving cake.

 Look at all the little munchkins!  They are not so little anymore!  From Left to right:  Madelyn, Paige, Treven, and Wyatt.

You think you're tired after reading this?  Try EXPERIENCING all the fun and fabulousness!  Happy birthday Wayne, I hope it was your most favorite one ever!

You're All I Need

Ever hear a song, and it just rings so true for you?  Here's my latest, "let's rock out and dance" song for the boys and me!

As you read, be sure to click on the song in the player to the right, turn up your speakers, and SING!  :-)

"All I Need"

When the day is done
And there's no one else around
While I'm lying here in bed
You're in my heart, You're in my head
You're all I need, You're all I need
There are a million voices
Calling out my name
But You're the One I want to hear
So make the others disappear

You are all I need when I'm surrounded
You are all I need if I'm by myself
You fill me when I'm empty
There is nothing else
You're all I need

When the morning comes
And Your mercy is renewed
There's a fire in my bones
I'm not afraid to go alone
You're all I need
You're all I need
The sun on my face
I hear You whisper loud
You're still the God that opens seas
Every flower, even me
You're all I need
You're all I need

I'm drawn to everything that You do
Nothing compares with You

he is FOUR no more

Today we celebrated FIVE years of life with Wayne.   More on the days festivities later, but for now...

Dear Wayne,

Happy FIFTH birthday my sweet boy!  Five years ago, Dad and I were so anxious and excited for you to arrive - and we were THRILLED to have a son.  It was so hard to call you Wayne at first, because it was such a big boy name for such a precious little bundle, but now - I can't imagine you being called anything else. Know this - no matter where you go or what you do - Dad and I love you.  Our love has nothing to do with anything that you do - and everything to do with the fact that you are our son.  With that said - Wayne, you are the most joyful, delightful little five year old I've ever known.  Truth be told - five can be a difficult age of independence and let's face it - being a bit of a "brat" but I see none of those traits in you.  You LOVE your brothers, and look out for them constantly.  I pity the pour soul in school someday that messes with Wyatt or Weston - because they are going to have to deal with you!  Today you were opening gifts and letting Weston help you and touch your presents before you even got a chance to - and you were HAPPY about it.  I don't know many five year olds who would be so kind to their little brother.  You are a grateful boy - you take nothing for granted and you are constantly telling us "thank you" for getting you things, doing things for you, or simply for taking care of you.  We could not have been prouder of you tonight, watching you open your gifts and showing everyone your thankfulness - it was priceless.  You are such a smart boy too Wayne.  This week you got glasses, and after only wearing them for a day you take great care of them all by yourself.  You even read your first book today!  It was book 1 of the "Bob" series, and while you struggled on the first few pages, you were really getting it by the end of the book.  You were so proud, and said to me, "Really?  I can read?  I didn't know I could do that!"  I'm not going to be sad that you are growing up - I am going to rejoice in your bigness.  You are a delight to us - you bring great joy and life to every room you enter.  Your sweet smile - and your loving hugs and kisses make even the toughest parenting days more than worth it. We love you SO MUCH Wayne, and we always will. 

I'll love you forever,
I'll pray for you always.
Forever my baby you'll be.

Love,
Mom

Dear God,

Wayne's been praying a lot lately, asking to pray, wanting to pray - it's been a DELIGHT for me to listen to his prayers, talk about his requests, and his thanksgivings.  The simplicity, ease, and innosence with which he speaks to God is sweet music to my ears.  Here's my paraphrase of his prayer tonight before dinner:

Dear God,

Thanks for my good day.  It was good.  Please be with all the people coming to my birthday - I don't want anyone sick because they couldn't come.  Help them all to be happy for my birthday.  Please help my Dad to stay healthy and not cough at all - he will be sick on my birthday.  Please help Weston to take his medicine and be good - sometimes he's not good.  Thanks for Wyatt, I love him.  And for mom for my food.  And be with all the people coming to my birthday - that we would not be too loud and we will have LOTS of fun.  Thanks God - Amen.