John is SIX!

Holy moly!  John has to use two hands to show his age now!  The first Friday of the school year was his birthday.  We all woke up REALLY early that morning!  We started the day of with, of course, Krispy Kreme.  John wore his #6 Clemson jersey.

 John's first present from Eve, Ellie, and Baby Brother

 I thought it would be fun to read Dr. Seuss's "Happy Birthday to You!"  It was fun for a page or two, but unfortunately turns out to be one of his worst books.  We quite partway through to open more presents.

 Lots of Legos this year.  John really loves legos, star wars, Ninjago, and angry birds.

 We got to bring cupcakes to school.  It was a quick treat because they stay really busy in their classroom, but he and the other kids enjoyed it.
In the evening we had his birthday party at the pool.

It was a fun birthday for a fun birthday boy.  It's hard to believe John is 6.  I suppose I'll say this every year.  He still has a fantastic smile and even better laugh.  He's still extremely creative and analytical.  Still very strong willed and rough, yet compassionate and affectionate.  He spends most of his free time with TV, the computer, and legos.  I'm always amazed at what he can build, and what he has learned.  Recently in the car Eve has asked several questions that I was about to answer until he started answering.  I didn't figure he'd know the answer, but curious to see what he'd come up with, I just listened.  The other day he gave a very good explanation of why tires, being made of rubber, wear down and pop.  He's lazy with things he doesn't want to do, but very energetic otherwise.  We're still working hard on obeying authority, but every now and then I see him do something that's very encouraging in that respect.  As far as academics, I'm constantly questioning whether we should've sent him on to first grade.  He's certainly ready academically and socially.  We're really hoping that this extra year will help him develop some leadership skills.  At his doctor's appointment he weighed 52 pounds (81 percentile) and was 46 3/4 " tall (75 percentile).  There's just something about his creativity and ability to analyze things that amazes me, and something about his fantastic smile and tender heart that make me melt.  Happy Birthday, John!  What a blessing to our lives!