Look out world, my birthday boy is 5 today!

This past year has been spectacular for Ian. So many wonderful changes occurred that I believe the word that best describes Ian is 'Mr. Independent'. He can get himself dressed in the morning, brush his teeth completely on his own, started requesting to take a shower over having a bath, can operate the tv remote control, fully mastered working the wii, buckles his own car seat, and has even shown a desire to learn to read.

Two changes that I am particularly proud of was his own initiative to stop wearing pull-ups at night and be more open-minded to eat what we are having for dinner; thus requiring less and less chicken nuggets as his meal.

Ian's interest in sports has skyrocketed. He can be found watching basketball, baseball and racing over any of his favorite cartoons most days. He'll go to bed watching a sporting event on tv and first thing the next morning ask daddy who won. He enjoys watching the sports news and will always ask what teams they are showing in the highlights. Although, at this point, Ian can tell me who is playing and point out specific players and their numbers. Ian played soccer in the Fall and Spring and did it with gusto. His enthusiasm for scoring a goal is a little over-the-top.

Ian's dreams on what he wants to do when gets older spans from wanting to be a race car driver, to being in a rock band, being a pilot and a teacher. He is by far the most social person I know. Ian is friends with everyone and does a great job keeping his calendar full on his own. He is great at taking turns and sharing. And he has all these ideas. He is planning to take guitar lessons during the summer and will be fully swimming without his arm floaties by the end of summer. He says he'll need to wear them for the first few lessons to get comfortable again in the water.

Ian's vocabulary continues to amaze and delight all who hear him. I figured out how it got so developed. When Ian hears a word he doesn't know, he'll stop and ask what it means. Next thing you know, he is using that very word in a sentence later on. His comprehension not just for words but math and sport scores is astounding.

Ian is funny. Very funny. He'll say something and just crack us all up. Like when Sam wakes up from a nap and is angry. Ian said, "well that didn't work out like it was supposed to." Or, when he watches a race on tv and comments "that is the most beautiful turn I've ever seen."

Turning 5 is a big deal! This is when Ian truly becomes a big boy and is no longer a toddler. Ian will start kindergarten in the Fall. It is going to be an exciting time of adapting to a new schedule, making new friends and getting even a little more independent. I have no doubt that my gregarious little boy is going to embrace this new chapter in his life like everything else he has done; with a smile on his face and ideas on how he can do it in his own style.

I love you so much my brilliant, witty, observant, considerate, playful, talkative Ian. You are becoming quite the big boy and growing into an awesome little person that I love to be around.

Happy 5th birthday! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!