Happy 5th Birthday, Thobe!!!

It is so amazing to watch my kids grow up before my eyes. It seems like just yesterday that Thobe was this sweet, happy little baby. I can't believe that he is now five, although the anticipation of his fifth birthday has gone on for quite sometime.

For the past six or seven months, Thobe has been asking us when is May 23rd? Is May 23rd sometime soon? He has been very anxious for his birthday. In thinking back, I suppose I really, really looked forward to my birthday too. Most kids do. Thobe enjoyed Alden's birthday and patiently waited for his own. He was thrilled when a package from Grandma and Grandpa Humphries arrived on Wednesday that contained his birthday presents. Thobe carried this package everywhere and slept with it every night before his birthday. On Thursday, May 21 (the last day of preschool for the week), Hyrum and I went to preschool with Thobe and brought cupcakes. Thobe was thrilled that we were bringing cupcakes but told me that we could only stay for a few minutes. Hyrum and I ended up staying the entire time and enjoyed watching Thobe interact with his friends at school. It's amazing how much his classmates love him. I'm really pleased with his preschool experience and feel happy that he was able to have such a wonderful experience.

Anyway, Friday morning I woke up Alden and told him that it was May 22, Aunt Emily's birthday, and the day before Thobe's birthday. Upon hearing this news, Thobe sat straight up and bed and exclaimed, "Is today my birthday?"

"No," I explained, "Tomorrow is your birthday."

Thobe got a big smile on his face and laid back down on his bed. Thobe has the world's most heart melting smile. He really can light up a room with his happy smile.

As you might imagine, the next day when it really was his birthday he was so, so happy. All week Hyrum had been asking to sing and singing, "Happy Day" as he called it, so he was thrilled to sing it all day to Thobe (although it took us most of the day to teach Hyrum to sing "Happy Birthday Dear Thobe" rather than "Happy Birthday, Dear Alden." Thobe was able to open his package and was not disappointed. Grandma had sent him a new basketball shirt and shorts, a tiger, and a whole bunch of balls (a container of tennis balls was from Aunt Diane and Uncle Doug). From Alden, Thobe got a Webkins Cat that Thobe named Bluish Greenish, Hyrum gave him some bath tub markers, and we gave him play dough, which he was so excited about, a bike and a helmet and pads. He was really excited about his presents. Shortly after we ate breakfast and opened his presents we went to his friend, Alex Place's birthday party at McDonald's and then went back a couple hours later for Thobe's birthday party. Thobe had 7 of his friends meet him at McDonalds and even had Hamburgler come and lead them in a few games. All in all, he had a great time.

When we got back to our house, Abuelita and Grandpa Monday were there to wish Thobe a happy birthday. They got him a fun ball gun that he and Alden have had a blast with. In thinking about it, it's really hard to believe that Thobe is five. He is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. I feel so blessed to have him as my son. Happy Birthday, Thobs!!!