Austin Turns 5!

One day I blinked and somehow this little guy 

 

 

 

turned into this guy:

 

Austin at 5 years old is a ton of fun! He loves to inquire and figure out how things go. If he's not talking, he's signing! He really enjoys all things musical and holds high the ability to sing a song correctly. He adores playing with Jonathan. Most of the time they are acting something. Among their favorite pretend things is Ninja Turtles, Frozen, Firefighter rescue missions, and any superhero! He is a great big brother to Evelina. He works hard and making her laugh and likes to help feed her! We have no doubt he's an extrovert who adores having someone to share the day with. Brother is usually enough, but not always. He craves people and values their company. We've often referred to him as an old soul as he has often said things we are pretty sure could have come from an 80 year old! We love him deeply!

This year a sweet friend gave us a Birthday Blessing Box to help celebrate the birthday kiddo. Austin thoroughly loved hearing scripture spoken over him and hearing stories about his life so far. It was evident that he clung to our words and cherished that time.

 



 

 

Birthday boy with his brother beside the Birthday Box Cake! Taken the morning of Austin's birthday.

As part of the birthday box there is a portion that you journal for each year. I am going to use this blog post for that.

My Favorite things in Creation

• Flowers
• Horses
• People

How have you grown this year?

• Physically
• Self proclaimed "5 year old muscles". You have keen athletic ability that often surprises your momma (maybe not such a shock to daddy!). You are able to hit a pitched ball really well. Though you prefer daddy's pitching you will hit from momma if there's no other choice! You can even do a cartwheel!
• Intellectually
• You are a sponge for knowledge and learning. You know all your letter sounds and have begun to understand what happens when letters come together. You are able to sound out many words when reading. You like to do "math" in joining things together to see what their sum is. You love to work on your "school" book with momma or daddy.
• Socially
• You deeply value people. You make an effort to know everyone's first and last name. You are learning the importance of being included and including. You like to show that you are excited when you see someone you know (PSA: please brace yourself world for a tackle hug!)
• Spiritually
• You have a wide base of bible stories and enjoy learning what God has to say about things. You have articulated that "I trust" in the message of the gospel. We are still exploring with you the depth of that decision. You love to play baptism with your brother in the bathtub (though it frustrates you when he won't play Dr. Dennis and baptize you!). You have enjoyed being in big church with us this year. You really thrive on worshiping God through song!

Goals

• learn to pitch really well.
• learn to catch really well.
• learn to bat really well for the Rangers
• learn how to be a dolphin (swimming)
• I think I'd like to climb really well

During this time of asking him what his goals are for next year, Aaron asked, "What about learning to read?" Austin answered, "Oh yeah (long pause) Good goal!"

 

We had a blast celebrating this big 5 year old this year!