HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY JOE!



Five years old.  My big-brown-eyed little boy is FIVE!!  Joe, you are such a treat.  Every day you amaze me with what comes out of your mouth.  You are quick-witted and seem to be able to reason everything.  You are my grocery shopper, my cuddler, and my go-getter.  When you were gone recently, spending a week at Cowboy Grandma and Grandpa's farm, Amelia asked where you were every single day.  You are a wonderful big brother, looking after your little sister most of the time--when you're not teasing her!  You are content to just "be" most of the time.  You're very capable.  I'm not sure if that is just you or if it is being 6th in line.  You adore your older siblings, and for the most part, you're good with sharing and great with getting right in the middle of something they have going on.  You look like trouble, and constantly have that little look of a cat that has a mouse in it's mouth!  :)  You're not trouble though...you're just plain ole good Joe.

A while back on Pinterest I repinned an idea of creating a birthday book by beginning at age 3, asking your child the same questions every year on their birthday.  While I may not get around to making each child a book, and for most of the kids I'll be a couple of years behind, I opted to start with Joe and ask him the questions:

What is your favorite color?   Red  2. What is your favorite toy? Monster Trucks  3. What is your favorite fruit?  Bananas   4. What is your favorite tv show?  Curious George  5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Hot dogs   6. What is your favorite outfit?  football shirts   7. What is your favorite game?  Board games  8. What is your favorite snack?  Cookies  9. What is your favorite animal?  Lions   10. What is your favorite song?  Dynomite  11. What is your favorite book?  I Spy  12. Who is your best friend?  Isaac   13. What is your favorite cereal?  Trix ("that colorful cereal")  14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play tag or pick up dog poop   15. What is your favorite drink?  pop  16. What is your favorite holiday?  Halloween  17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Pillows  18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Oatmeal  19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Cookies  20. What do you want to be when you grow up?   A priest            

The answers were all amusing and none of them encouraged or discouraged.  Most of them weren't surprising--well, maybe the one about picking up dog poop.  This child could eat an entire package of hot dogs if no one is paying attention!  Cookies for lunch??  Yes, that's probably an accurate request too.  :)  It will be fun to ask these same questions in another year.   

Your birthday morning was on the weekend, so our day began more slowly than usual.  You're a sleeper Joe...you like to sleep in.  (Sleeping in means until 8 am on school days and 8:30 or 9 on weekends).  Even though we were busy making your special breakfast earlier than you would normally rise, you were awake and waiting patiently in your bed, anticipating we would all arrive soon. 

For lunch, everyone made their own english muffin pizzas per Joe's request (except mom and dad who made portabella mushroom pizzas with macadamia nut "cheese")


...followed by Bumper Car Cakes, also a long-deliberated choice from Joe.
finger impressions compliments of Amelia.

Happy birthday Joseph!!  Thank you for being born!!  We love you.