Josiah's 5th Birthday!

What a week! It has been a great one, full of milestones at our house. You'll see from the previous posts that Mackenzie lost her first tooth this week. Well, Josiah has completed "preschool" and turned five years old, all in one week! I no longer have preschoolers at my house. I have elementary aged children! Crazy. Life is good and I am thankful. This post will recap some of our week.Josiah and "Kwali," his new Webkinz, on his last day of preschool.
Josiah receiving his certificate of completion from Mrs. Wendi, his teacher. He had his last day of preschool (MDO program Tues/Thurs) on Tuesday, May 17th. When his name was called to go up to Mrs. Wendi to get his certificate, he gave her such an enthusiastic hug that he literally knocked her over! Very funny. I love how freely she returns his hugs. She has been a wonderful teacher and such a huge blessing! We love her!!


Here is the whole class on the last day of preschool! From left to right: Sydney, Brooke, Ava, Josiah, Lexi, Callie, and Logan.

For his birthday party, Saturday, May 21st, Josiah wanted a "play date with friends and a pizza party." So, going off of his request, we invited "boys only," also per his request, for a play date and pizza party at our house. Shortly after mailing out the invitations to the boys from the 4 year old classes at school, Josiah decided he would like to invite Lexi, too, even though she is a girl. :) I talked to Austin and Lexi's mom. I am thankful she was able to come.

Here's Josiah and Logan eating Sam's Club Pizza with the Star Wars Cupcakes nearby.

David did a GREAT job of ordering the Star Wars cupcakes from Sam's Club for the party. When given the option of me making the cupcakes or just buying them, Josiah choose store bought ones. Sure was easy for me!

Uncle Zac was here to celebrate with us, too. We are SO thankful for all his help!!!! He just jumps right in and helps out in so many ways. We really appreciate his visit.

He lit the candles on Josiah's cupcake. Notice the Birthday Jedi Knight ribbon on Josiah? He spotted that at Target when we were buying the plates and napkins. He picked it out himself and was eager to wear it! I thought that was pretty cute. Surprised me!

Birthday Boy blowing out his candles!

Enjoying his cupcake.

Josiah, Lexi, Logan, and Mackenzie gathered around while Josiah opened presents. Uncle Zac is on the couch in the background.

Josiah has really enjoyed all his gifts this year!

Krista, Logan's mom, offered to take a picture of the four of us together. So, here we are. ;)
And, YES, I can still hold my babies. I love those cuddles from them both.

Josiah and Mackenzie with Uncle Zac. We have all enjoyed having him here!

Yesterday, Josiah got lots of packages in the mail! Above is a Star Wars Lego set from Poppie and Lili.

Another package....this one is from Granna and Z-pa...and notice the plastic snake from an earlier package! Ha, ha. Thanks a lot, Dad!

Opening new DS games from Granna and Z-Pa. He played them right away. Gotta love those EYES! Isn't he a cutie?!

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean DS game.

Cool packaging that pops from Mzee.

Boy squinkies from Mzee. Josiah was proud of those boy squinkies. Just like his sister's set, except these are made for a boy!

Earlier in the month/week, Josiah received cards and/or packages from everyone. I, however, neglected to grab my camera for each of the incoming packages. My sincerest apologies to those of you reading this blog who sent packages and aren't getting to see the pictures of his total enjoyment of the said package. Thank you all. He really has loved EVERYTHING! I just happened to have the camera handy and at the ready yesterday.

On another note, Mackenzie's last day of 1st grade was today! Her class party was also a surprise 40th Birthday party for her teacher, Mrs. Hatmaker. Josiah opted to stay home with Uncle Zac while I attended Mackenzie's class party. Fun times. Neat memories. Mackenzie received an award for the highest Grade Point Average in Phonics, Reading, and Handwriting! She received the top award in 3 out of 5 subjects. The Math award went to Raley and the Bible award went to a couple of kids that tied. I was so proud of her! And, thanks, Zac, for helping out with Josiah today.

Above picture, from left to right: Mackenzie, Savannah, Reagan, Kendall, and Alyssa.

As soon as David got home from work today, Josiah got to open his birthday presents from us.
Thanks for the wrapping paper, Zac!

Zac with Mackenzie and Josiah. He is one loved Uncle.

After Zac headed home this afternoon, we got a call from Geri and Trifon, our Bulgarian neighbors. They invited us over to their house so that Josiah could open a present from them. What fun! We were out the door in no time. Josiah got a Guess Who Star Wars game from them. We've already played it! I'd say he's had a HUGE birthday. He certainly has a lot of people to love him.

I just can't believe he is FIVE already! I am so proud of both of my kiddos. Josiah is so loving and hands out kisses and hugs freely. His manners have been those of a true gentleman as of late. He has a tender heart and is in tune with the emotions of those around him. He shares readily with others. He loves his legos, Star Wars, and pirates. He enjoys computer games, DS games, Wii games. He loves to cuddle and he loves being very active, too! He is 42 lbs and 44.125 inches. He is boy, through and through. He loves to catch worms and caterpillars. He is reading and surprises us with the signs he reads as we drive along the road. Mrs. Wendi reports that he was always ready with the answers in school. She says he at the top of his class with his reading skills. He has learned a lot of his addition and some subtraction, too. I am amazed at the questions he asks and how much he is learning at such an early age! We love to hear the funny things he has to say. He does keep us all laughing! He is a joy. We are truly thankful that God blessed our family with his arrival five years ago! What a delightful little boy! We love you, Josiah.We are so proud of you.