Five Years Old!

I can't even believe it.  It's hard to say out loud.  I have a five-year-old!  These days Ayden is maturing more and more every day, then reverting back to toddler-hood every once in a while by throwing fits.  It's hard not to get your way.  He has been enjoying Kindergarten for a couple months now and is learning to read, add, he knows the pledge of allegience by heart, can sing a bunch of different patriotic songs, and comes home with  new facts for me every day.  He has been counting down the days until his birthday and can't wait to have fun with his friends. 

Last week we had his five year pictures taken and his one request was that he get to have a picture in his Halloween costume.  Easy enough...

 And here are the photos in mommy's choice of outfit...

Looking at this picture makes me remember a similar pose from his two year pics....

What a cutie!!

The Circus

Last week, we went with our neighbors to see Circus Vargas, which had set up a huge circus tent in the mall parking lot.  Ayden was so excited! Leading up to it, he was talking all about the things he wanted to see. We had a lot of fun, even though it was extrememly hot inside the tent and the seats were quite uncomfortable. 

Our sweaty, hot family!

The flying trapeze!

Ayden's souvenir

Backyard camping

Ken wanted one more camping trip before the summer was over, so he and Ayden, along with my cousin had a little campout in my mom's backyard.  We brought along the slip & slide for a little entertainment.  We had a BBQ for dinner and a few other family member joined us.  My mom cooked a delicious breakfast the next morning, which more family joined us for!

Ayden had a hard time catching on to the slip & slide idea. He kept sliding on his knees, but got frustrated when he didn't go very far!

The little tent for my boys!

helping set up Brian's tent

yum yum

sitting around the "campfire"

Funderland

We always have so much fun seeing our friends Katie and Ryan when they come to visit from Texas.  Us moms like hanging out too ;-).

This time, we went to Funderland!!

Ayden & Katie on the "fast ride"

Shannon & Ryan

Snowcones!!!

Roller Coaster!!

Camping!

The first weekend in August, we went camping with a few of our neighbors!  It was so much fun, and we love hanging out with them and Ayden had a blast playing with all of the kids!

Can't have camping without smores!

Ayden and Addie at the lake

Ayden hitchin' a ride with daddy

He loved swimming in the lake.  It wasn't really as dirty as it looks, it's the red dirt.

Zachary, Ayden, & Addie hanging out

All of the kids

Ken & Victor attempting to do some "old-fashioned" popcorn

Painting pilot

About a month ago, Ken and Ayden built an airplane out of a few cardboard boxes.  I thought it would be fun to do a little painting!

He insisted on writing his name on the side of the plane (or, having me do it)

our pilot

Little Man

Ayden had two "manly" firsts in one day... Fishing and golfing!

Ken has been saying for probably a year that we need to get Ayden a fishing pole and take him fishing at the lake in our neighborhood (private property = no license required!).  They had a blast and Ayden caught a fish after about 20 minutes!  He came running in the front door yelling, "I caught my first fish mommy!"

Later that same day, Ayden went to the driving range.  Ayden borrowed golf clubs from his buddy across the street, and the "men" were of!  He had fun, he just continually asked, "Why isn't the ball going farther?"

I think he is the cutest little golfer I've ever seen!!