Fabulous Five

I have been on a blogging roll today. I just told myself this morning that I wasn't going to accomplish anything today that really needed done, but if I had some down time this afternoon I'd try to catch up on the family journal. This is my third and final post of the day. I do have to do some laundry tonight, or it threatens to overtake the house. I know I say this each time one of my kids has a birthday but where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that we were moving into this house with a brand new baby. Somehow though that baby, Seth, turned five for real yesterday! Yep five--as in going to kindergarten next year five, learning to read five, helping with his baby sister five, growing up on me five!!!  Here's some of what Seth has been doing recently and then tons of pics from his big day.

Seth is such a cute big brother.  He's just a sweet kid in general.

Seth has played soccer this spring.  It seems like most teams at this age have lots of kids standing around and then an all star who runs and scores goals.  Let's just say that Seth's team lacked that all star!  They had lots of fun though and finally started getting the hang of it the last few games.  Seth was the kickoff and goal kick king.  Whenever there was a chance to kick the ball in he took it, and he can boot it a long ways.  In fact, his one and only goal of the season was kicked from the middle of the field and somehow went by each and every person and right into the goal.  He didn't even realize he scored, but it was pretty funny!  He really did have fun playing soccer but was definitely in it for the treats after.  He takes treats very seriously.

This past month I've had the chance to see what Seth has been learning for the small fortune I've paid on his preschool this year.  It has actually been really fun.  He's had the chance to do regular preschool stuff plus swim, play tennis, do tumbling and movement (that's code for "dance" they just don't want the boy's parents to freak out)!  This month he had the chance to "show off" at each of his classes so this is him at swim lessons.

Seth also "graduated" from preschool this year.  It was a cute little event where the kids sang their songs, got a scrapbook of pictures from the year, and ate cake.  Seth does not like to be the center of attention.  He can talk your ear off at home, but he doesn't like the spotlight.  He really gets funny when all eyes are on him.  At some of his show off days and at graduation, he was a little naughty for a minute.  It's like he doesn't know what to do so he just won't do what he's asked.  After a minute or so he conformed though and sang his little heart out.

Seth and his teacher Miss Koley.  She was awesome!

Sunday evening we had a little family dinner for Seth's birthday.  Grandmas and grandpas, TJ and Amy, and cousins were here.  The weather was beautiful, and the kids had a blast.  Seth had strawberries, watermelon, and chips on the menu so he was in heaven.

Dessert was a little harder.  I had a cake planned for his actual birthday, he doesn't like ice cream, and he's actually kind of picky about desserts.  I ended up with donut holes of all things...Seth loves a donut!  Amy mentioned seeing them on skewers and I happened to have some, so we improvised and Seth blew out a candle on his fruit/donut shishkabob.  He loved it!

Seth got lots of fun loot between his two parties.  He got a bazillion more Lego sets...gag for me, but he loves them and he is so good at them.  This kid definitely has a knack for all things construction, mechanical, motorized...he is a smart cookie.  We gave him a bike jump which he and his brothers and every other kid in the neighborhood have been enjoying quite a bit.

I told Seth as long as the weather was nice on his birthday we could have a water party for friends in the backyard--Seth's Splash Bash.  It turned out to be the hottest day of the year, and I think the kids truly had a blast.  It was very simple but fun.  They slipped and slided, jumped on the tramp with the sprinkler, and did water balloon games.

This was the "hot tub" they soaked in.  It is the world's smallest kiddy pool.  This guy in the green is our next door neighbor Jeff.  He and Seth are good little buddies.

The whole gang.

I did serve them watermelon and orange slices along with sugary drinks and snow cones!

Seth had a "sand" birthday cake in a bucket.  I realized as I actually put it together a much smaller bucket would have been better, but it was too late.  Oh well, it tasted good and the kids liked scooping it with the shovel...and it was super easy.

My big boy as we were getting things set up.

Seth is a big five year old with an even bigger heart.  He is very sensitive.  Sometimes we (lovingly) call him the St. Bernard when he just opens his mouth up and bawls and tons of drool comes out (like really a ton).  About 85% of the time these episodes have something to do with Luke.  Seth loves his brothers though and watching them play together does my heart good.  Just this morning Luke and Seth were together on the couch going over each page of Seth's preschool scrapbook together.  Now don't get me wrong he can be as stubborn as a mule and we have our moments, but I love this kid.  His bear hugs are the best.  I'm glad kindergarten is only a few hours a day because I'm not ready for him to be gone the whole day.  Here's to my fabulous five-year-old!