be calm...be crazy...be gentle...just be...: MAX AND NAOMI'S 6TH BIRTHDAY

We celebrated Max and Naomi's 6th birthday this weekend. It was so wonderful to see them wake up and be excited about being 6. I have heard from Naomi for a while that she can do or wear something while she is 5 but not when she is 6. Max is overjoyed that he is 6 when he starts 1st grade. We had a small family party for them on their special day. I am so grateful our children have been blessed to grow knowing their Grandma and Grandpa's and great Grandma and Grandpa's. For me it is always a little hard because I can just imagine how my Grandparents would have enjoyed our little ones. I wish I would have been able to watch my Grandparents love on any of our children.
Something we will always remember about Grandma and Grandpa DeBoer are the goodie bags they make up for any party. Our kids know that there is always something special Grandma and Grandpa shopped at Meijer to put together for them. Their names are labled on each bag and there are always extra's for anyone else there. Grandma Oosterhouse still holds the tradition of handing out $2 bills for each grandchild which the kids stash in their drawers and wallets. The cakes were easy again this year as Naomi wanted Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop figures on her cake and Max wanted Star Wars Lego guys on his cake.
I am so very thankful for our parents too. They love each one of our children so much and they are always excited hear when something new happens. They are a huge support to our family and we love to share life with them. The kids love their Grandma and Grandpa Collin and all the trips to the campground. They keep busy all day with activities and playing at the park. Grandma and Grandpa Callie enjoy having the kids for overnighters so they can play all day and watch movies into the evening and go to Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans for a meal. I love that our kids are growing up knowing their family and that they will have many memories from life with them.