Celebrating 5

Alexander was soooo excited to turn 5.  I don't think any of my boys have been so excited for a birthday.  He had lots of plans for his big day.  Instead of having a party with friends he really wanted to do something with our entire family.  I gave him the opportunity to do something special with just mom and dad but he wanted everyone there.  He really misses his big brothers when they are at school all day.  (We'll see if he still feels the same way all summer.)  Since his birthday fell on a Sunday we decided to do some of our celebrating on Saturday.  We had a little picnic at a nearby park and let the boys play in the water there.

Sunday morning came and he was super excited and anxious to get the festivities started.  Food is always a big part of our birthdays.  He chose Reese's Puffs for breakfast (extra special since I only buy cold cereal on super special occasions these days.)

I had a quick meeting at church in the morning but Alex really wanted to open his gifts first... thus the jammies still.

 I don't know where his smile disappeared to in those pictures... but he really was happy with everything he got!

At church he felt extra special since he got his birthday printed in the bulletin and they sang to him in primary.

For dinner he requested Hawaiian haystacks, which is funny because he really doesn't like the gravy/chicken part... just the rice and the toppings!  But he was super happy about his choice.

Alex's funniest request by far was his dessert.  Instead of a birthday cake--or even a donut tower which has been his choice for the past few years--he asked for popsicles!  Since you can't really stick a candle in a popsicle  we sang to him and let him blow out a big candle before we broke out the treats.

Alex is really getting to be so big.  He has already set some tough goals since he turned 5 (no sippy cups at night!  Going on 7 days in a row!!) and reaching them.  He can't wait to start school and is becoming a great, happy helper. 

But maybe his next goal can be to stop "wiping off" our kisses.