Happy 5th Birthday, Alexander!

I'm going to try to type as fast as I can so I can post this at 12:56 - the exact time you were born. Well, that's the time the doctor lifted you out of my belly and you cried.

Let's see, what should you know about 5 year old self?

You're about 42" tall and 40 lbs (give or take).

You are in your second year of preschool. You know your letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. You are working on math equations with your dad and are able to do simple ones. You are working on reading with your mama. I can't tell if you are learning phonetically or visually, but we're figuring it out.

You love, love, love puzzles. And not small ones but only those that are 750 pieces or more.

You continue to be a train fanatic. When asked what you want to be when you grow up, you immediately answer "train conductor". Or "own a big hotel with a train museum".
Right now, our living room is covered in your latest GeoTrax train track creation.

For a kid who didn't start stringing words together until you were 2 1/2, you talk non-stop. And you talk fast. You ask a lot of questions.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

"What would happen if blah, blah, blah?"
"What if this happened blah, blah, blah?"
"Why did blah, blah, blah happen?"

You are curious and full of imagination. You have two imaginary friends - your cousins Mary and David. They go everywhere with us and when you get in trouble, you typically tell us, "Mary and David wanted to do it".

Your best friends are Addie and Logan.
And all four of your grandparents.

You say really funny things that makes us laugh outloud but are also very polite. You insist on using manners and will call out anyone who uses bad words.

Your favorite activity is swimming. Kid, you LOVE to swim.

You are playing basketball right now and I do see the same level of excitement.
Just as long as you're playing an indoor sport, I don't care which one you choose.

You are a picky eater.
You still take long naps (thank you).

You are thoughtful and caring of others around you and want to be the best helper ever.

Overall, you're a really laid back, easy going, easy to love, playful kid.

I have three minutes to wrap this up.

There are not enough words to tell you how much your Daddy and I love you.
You are our miracle.

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet little man.

We love you.

To the moon and back.