Erik is 5!

Fives years ago Erik was born on the day before Thanksgiving at 4:06 in the morning. This year, his birthday was the day before Thanksgiving, so I had many thoughts reverting back to that day that seems ways less than 5 years ago.

Erik is definitely the baby of the family. He wants what he wants and he usually gets it. Luckily, he is easily pleased. He just wants his few items of food that he eats, his few articles of clothes he wears, and some cars to play with. He likes to be home, go to bed on time, and play with his siblings. Not much has changed with him, and yet these past couple of months he has grown so much from his experiences going to Red Bell preschool.

He now likes wearing regular shoes, instead of crocs all the time, he will get dressed when I tell him to, and is usually the first person dressed for church on Sunday (he does like to always be the first for anything, really). He enjoys drawing and doing his name writing for homework, whereas before he always said he couldn't do it (even coloring) and wouldn't even try. He will eat dinner at the table with us (except for on Thanksgiving he didn't because we had company here and a lot of extra food), but he still doesn't eat what we eat. Being at Red Bell, he gets to sit with his class for lunch, but gets to choose whether or not he eats the lunch, or opt for a plain tortilla or bun, which is what he does. So, those are two new foods that he has tried and likes. He will usually eat a bun and apples or carrots for dinner. I know, big whoop, a white bun- just what he needs! Well, progress is progress and I'll take what I can get! His teachers say he always the first to help clean up, join in a song (which was a shock to me since he used to hate singing any music of any kind!), and is a very good student. It makes me so happy to know he's progressing!

He loves to watch Scooby Doo and Wild Kratts when he has time to fit it in after school and among our errands. He loves to be outside, play with cars, play games with me, read, and play Hot Cross Buns on the piano, which Austin taught him. Since he has three siblings who play the piano, he really has gotten interested in it himself. He likes to tell jokes and scare people by sneaking up and yelling "boo!' really loudly! He also likes to play with Luke, our kitty.

We had leftovers for his birthday dinner and he had a bun and carrots. White sprinkle cake and vanilla ice cream made him the happiest boy ever! He decided he wants a birthday party, so next weekend we'll throw him a small party. This will be his first one. He had never wanted one before. We gave him some Lincoln Logs for his birthday and a speedy push car swivel thing on wheels that his twin friends have and he loves! He wondered why we got him the Lincoln Logs because he didn't ask for them, so Austin is enjoying them. He said for Christmas he wants cars and circle chips (tortilla chips that are round and more salty than the big rectangle ones I get from Costco). His Christmas shopping should be easy!

We love our baby Erik!

Eating his birthday breakfast. Whole wheat pancakes with lots of  sugar on top!

Hoodie he opened before going to school.

Victoria went shopping for him especially.

Looking older!

New markers and paper and he can appreciate it now, thanks Gramms!

Happy boy!