If I started on how sentimental I am about Boyd turning 6 we would be here for days.  Boyd you are certainly my little bundle of joy.  

I just never know what you will come up with. Like this contraption- bandaids how smart.

You are obsessed with using tape- painters & scotch. Always up to something. 

Birthday celebration at school just so happened to be the last day before break and pajama day (how fitting).  He also created and was able to watch the Polar Express after his class got pizza for running the most laps of the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.

Tape and building new and amazing things each day. 

Thanks Uncle Matt. Police officer Boyd playing police and firefighters. Always ready and in costume.

Circuit maker. This kept you busy for hours. 

Circuits...did this one make the silly recordings?

Birthday morning.

Bristle blocks just like at school.

Thanks Chocolate Grandma and Papa for the letterman jacket, So cute.

Two peas in a pod.

Bug dig.

The cake of choice.

Celebrating with our neighborhood best friends.

Uncle Matt, Aunt Jessica, Leah, Eva, and Brendan...he still hasn't put it down.

Chocolate Grandma and Papa here to celebrate!

I have tons of catch up to do on the blog but I have to start with Christmas this year.  Each year we add new memories and this year was no exception.  Some of my favorite memories include going to the Christmas Eve Children's Service at church and having Boyd sing along to the carols- reading the verses he didn't know from the screen, and helping to tell of the birth of Jesus by serving as one of the donkey's. He was the loudest "he-haw"er in the place. That night the fire department made their second trip with Santa around our neighborhood and Boyd said, "I need to ask if I am on the naughty or nice list." The answer was the nice list but he must have had a little doubt in his heart because he seemed really relieved to read the note in his room Christmas morning declaring that he made the nice list.  Perhaps Boyd should have played one of the Shepards in the church service because he was up at around 2:45am Christmas morning and would not go back to sleep.  At 4:15 I finally said ok- Merry Christmas.  Santa knew just what Boyd was into these days, Marine's, games and building.  It was a great Christmas despite the sleep deprivation even after 2 naps that day.

I made the Gruffalo

Fire Truck with Santa

I need to check the list and mark who was naughty and nice

Cookie plate for Santa. Santa I have been good. Love Boyd 

Reindeer Food

Heading in. Grandma's shoes were prefect with this ensemble.

Just a little excited Christmas morning. 

Marine backpack. 

Marine Vest.

Eyes are starting to look tired.

Ready for action. Thank you to all our troops that serve as heroes for this special guy and all of us.

Games before bed. Headbanz with Papa and Chocolate Grandma

Leaping Leaves 1 mile trail run

This has been a busy week for Boyd.  Boyd began his first organized sport (Wrestling) which was Monday and Wednesday. He listened very well and is really working on getting some of the step by step fundamentals.  Thursday Boyd's school ran their boosterthon fun run.  I was able to volunteer and I was really impressed by all the kindergarteners.  They worked really hard to get as many laps as they could (up to 35). They were inspiring and Boyd was no exception.  Today (Saturday) Boyd ran the Leaping Leaves 1 mile run.  He'd been asking to run a race and the Stafford Parks and Rec Department held this wonderful event in a park in Fredericksburg.   It was basically a kids (ages 5-13) one mile cross country race.  Adam and I were so proud of Boyd's effort and the best part was that he loved it so much.  At the awards ceremony he told the race director, "Thank you, we'll see you next year." His favorite part was when they ran through the woods away from all the spectators. He said he passed people there.

                                      Checking his watch. How many minutes until race time?

                                                                  All smiles.

                                                        Boyd's idea of a warm up.

                               Making sure there is a true finish line. Digging his heel in the dirt.

              Coach McGuire at the University of Missouri would be proud, "Have fun first."

                                                                    Race face?

                                              Running in a tiny circle. Almost time.

                                                                And they're off.

                                                             Mixing it up

                                                                     Moving up

                                                          About to enter the woods

                                                                  Out of the woods

                                                             Making a surge

                                                          Final stretch. Look at that stride.

                                                                  Nipped at the line

 Snacks after finishing.  What did you think of the race? Thumb and granola bar up.

Receiving his first medal.  First in his age group (ok he was the only one, but he did finish 7th out of about 35 in 9:05).