Metamorphoses

Five years ago, in the course of a few hours, this:

became this:

which, as of this past Thursday, has become this!

We did what we could to stop this most recent instantiation of growth and change. All week we told William that he was not allowed to get any older. However, with characteristic disobedience, the boy went ahead and turned five anyway. What cheek. For our part, Jesse and I gallantly decided to turn the other one (cheek, that is), and we celebrated his birthday in spite of the child's refusal to honor our perfectly reasonable demand that he remain four for at least another year (or two). We're nigh unto saints. 

I think it's safe to say he had a great day.  :)  William woke up to decorations hung around the kitchen, then of course he and Josiah had to head off to school for a few hours. Inspired by Josiah's lunchtime (Saturday) celebration a few weeks ago, he requested his family party over the 90-minute lunch break at home midday: homemade pizza, cards, and gifts. Lots of fun!! 

Then it was back to school for just another 90 minutes, where he had cake to share with his classmates, then home for some one-on-one playing with Mommy. Thursdays are an earlier release at 3 p.m. instead of 4 p.m., but Josiah has begun opting to stay the extracurricular hour, so I go back for him later. And yes...that makes 5 runs to and from the schools on Thursdays. Not that anyone's counting.

Before dinner, William wanted to go to the nearby toy shop to buy something with his birthday euros. Since Josiah had spent some of his own birthday money on a special toy for William a week ago, Will was keen to return the generosity. To my delight, Jesse and William returned from the shop with a small trampoline, something that Josiah had rhapsodized about a few weeks prior. For the record, "delight" may or may not be an entirely accurate descriptor of my response, not that I don't love a good visit to the ER as much as the next mom. But "delight" is definitely an accurate descriptor of Josiah's response (his goofy face here notwithstanding)! 

William's dinner request was spaghetti and meatballs, and then it was time for cake. Both sets of grandparents were able to join us at the table via Skype for singing Happy Birthday and seeing the candles blown out, which was just wonderful!

   

Happy birthday, William. We love you more than words can say!