Eli turned 6 years old on December 1st. I just can't say enough about my sweet little Eli. Right now, his love language is definitely quality time. He loves to be with people and nothing makes him happier than playing a game with him or coloring with him. He loves to read, play games, draw, color, write...anything to do with school. His teacher says that she's never had a student like Eli. He is a peace maker and a helper, always kind to others in his class. She said that whenever there is a dispute in the classroom, Eli is never a part of it and is usually trying to settle the dispute. He is a fabulous big brother to both Brady and Major. He plays with them, sings to them, and helps them with whatever they need done. He usually takes care of Major while I'm cooking and plays endless games with Brady on a daily basis. Brady says that Eli is his best friend. I am so blessed to have this little guy as my son and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him!
On his birthday, we had a family dinner of fried chicken, and he got to open his gifts from Papa and Nana. They got him a Michigan shirt and Nana made him a picture of Tigger. We immediately put on the shirt and hung up his picture beside his bed. He loved both his gifts!
He was also so good to let Brady help him open his presents.
When Bill worked at Cornerstone, he always had kids stand up on their chair and had everyone sing to them for their birthday during lunch. I guess they don't do that anymore with him gone, but Eli remembered and wanted to get to do the same thing, so we had him stand on the counter and we all sang to him.
On Saturday, December 3rd, we had Eli's birthday party at the church building. He invited about 10 of his friends and we just played games for a couple of hours. Our first game was a scooter race. Eli and his team won. Here is the team: Eli, Max, Bryce Borden, and Kelsey O'Neill.
Next: the soccer shoot out. Here is Brady taking his turn shooting.
Third game: eating doughnuts without using hands. The kids are Hugh, Brock Avera, Eli, and Zach Pace.
Aunt Kam had a snowflake making station. Here she is getting the kids to make their snowflakes.
Brady (with his classic tongue out concentration look) hard at work, his friend, Zach, right next to him.
Here is Eli's snowflake!
Picture time with Big Daddy and Gran Betty.
The cake! It is supposed to be a gold medal for the "Decathlon" that was supposed to be his birthday party. I think it ended up just being a bunch of playing games, but Eli still loved it. Here he is with his gold medal cake.
Blowing out the candles.
Brock Avera, Eli, and Max Granville
Hugh, Brock, and Eli
Cupcake?
Present time! Hugh, Max, Brady, Eli, Cole Armstrong, and Brock. Brock was very excited to give Eli his gift.
Everyone loves presents!
Aunt Kam and Major
Eli's gift from Max...a light saber from Star Wars! It makes really cool sounds and it has not left Eli's side since he received it!
Max and Eli. They have been best friends since they were 18 months old. They often send each other notes through the mail and have been in the same bible class for the past 4 years. It has been really neat to watch their friendship grow, even at a young age! It was at this point that the camera ran out of batteries. Oh well, from here on out it was opening gifts anyway. I'm just sorry that I didn't get a shot of everyone at the party! Aunt Sara even came down from Boston, and somehow I didn't get a picture of her! Sorry, Aunt Sara! Another first for Eli was that he got 2 gift cards for his birthday, so we got to go to Target today and let him pick out his own gift. He was so excited since he had never done this before. He chose a Star Wars ship, a Star Wars game, and Obi Wan Kenobi. Interesting that he likes Star Wars so much since he's never seen it! I don't know how this happened!
