The Big Five!

Every year I say it. And every year it's true.  I just can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.  I mean, five years old? Carter is officially out of the preschooler/little kid stage and is a full blown dude.

Our life was a little topsy turvy on his birthday this year - we had just moved back to Brazil a week and a half before, we were living in a hotel, we spent all day every day looking for houses/setting up accounts/etc., and I didn't even have a kitchen in which I could bake a birthday cake.  But on June 4, we decided to put all of our 'to-do's' to a halt and simply celebrate Carter's special day.  After a breakfast in the lobby, we headed back up to our hotel room to open presents.  We had some family and friends send some gifts with us, so I was able to wrap those with newspapers I found in the lobby and tape I borrowed from the front desk.  He was so excited as he tore into each thing and wanted to open/play with all of it :)

Okay, I lied, there was one trip to the phone store by Nick and the boys while Leine Mae took a quick morning nap, but then we all headed to the mall.  There was a HUGE ball pit set up - I'm talking Oliver and Carter disappeared in the balls they were so deep - that they were able to play in.  (Poor Nick had to go in as well to keep them "afloat" haha, and got his workout in for the day).  Then we ate lunch at the new "Cheeseburger King" (as Carter calls Burger King) and finished with family pictures at the mall's photo booth.  Carter was having so much fun!

After afternoon naps, we met a Brazilian friend and her son at the indoor play park where Carter has now celebrated three birthdays.  The boys had soooo much fun running, climbing, jumping, bouncing, and riding! After our time finished there, we met with some American friends who came to town that evening to eat "piz-tah" (as Carter calls one of his favorite foods - pizza).  It was a fun day and we had a great time celebrating our not-so-little five year old :)

Carter had lots of adventure in his fifth year of life.  Here are some of the highlights: going to Brazilian preschool, getting a baby sister, traveling to the USA for 7 months, trips to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and the beach, playing on a city league soccer and t-ball team, visiting family, and being 100% boy.

Now for his birthday survey:

How old are you? 

5

What makes you happy?
playing with toys, watching movies, having cake

When do you laugh?
when mommy makes funny faces, when I get tickled

What is something Mommy always says to you? 

"I love you."
"Please stop crying."

What is something Daddy always says to you? 

"I love you."
"Stop crying."

What is your favorite thing to eat? 

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, french fries and chicken, cheeseburgers, grapes, chocolate, piz-tah (pizza)

What is your favorite thing to do? 

playing with balls and legos

What are you really good at? 

playing soccer and baseball

What is your favorite song?
"God Is So Good"
"It Is Well"

Who is your best friend?
Miss Tina and Morgan

What do you and Mommy do together? 

play, eat, go outside, draw

What do you and Daddy do together? 

watch movies, read books, play, cuddle

Where is your favorite place to go?
Legoland and Miss Tina and Mr. Clay's house

What is your favorite book? 

Star Wars book
"Day of the Dinosaur"

And some pictures from his big day:

eating breakfast at the hotel

present time!

so. many. balls.

i mean, so. many.

fun at the play park!