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My First 5-Year-Old
Apr 05, 2008 Categorized: Life with Kids •
My darling little Will turned five today. We had a fun birthday together with just our little family to celebrate. We’re planning a big double party in two weeks for both the kids, so today was a bit low-key.
The day started with presents, of course, as Will dragged me out of the bed where I was sleeping next to Hunter and her broken arm to come rip into all the gifts waiting for him on the kitchen table. Maybe I should have kept them in the closet until after my morning coffee! Lesson learned. Hunter had a couple of gifts to open too, and they’ve played with their new toys all day. The remote control Jeep Rubicon to match Daddy’s real one was a big hit, although it was technically a replacement from Santa who had left a busted helicopter at Christmastime. Will completely understood that the elves stopped making those helicopters since they wouldn’t work long enough, and now they’re making Rubicons instead. 
Will also discovered Big Boy Legos for the first time, and he and his daddy were in hog-heaven all morning making construction trucks out of tiny little Legos. I am so very thankful we don’t have any more babies around making us fret about choking hazards. With Hunter’s upcoming birthday we can finally enter the stage of the 3+ toy category. Hooray!
After an afternoon at the driving range with Bill, cupcakes after dinner, and a family bike/stroller ride around the block before bathtime, Will settled in for a good night’s rest, happy to finally be five. Apparently five is a big milestone for young kids. At one point last week, I had to explain to Will that he wouldn’t lose a tooth on Saturday and he wasn’t going to start Kindergarten next week. He has had grandiose visions of what life will be like at age five. I think it’s kind of what we do our whole lives, though. Like, next month when I turn 30, I’m feeling the need to be approaching a highly-successful point in my career and finally have life all figured out. But really, I’ll just wake up that day to a dishwasher full of dishes, a mound of laundry to sort, and a house that will be covered in toys by the end of the day. So, I guess you never really outgrow the big expectations birthdays seem to bring.
I am so proud of Will and the little man he is becoming. I felt a little sorry for him since his birthday came the day after Hunter got her cast on, and the special care she has required may have overshadowed his big day. I tried my very hardest to give him as much attention and celebration as possible, but that was so hard to do with Hunter not feeling well and needing help with everything. She is learning to use her feet to help open things and ask for help when she gets frustrated, so she is regaining a little more independence. Getting her off of the narcotic pain meds has made her more pleasant too. I owe a story and pics about her broken arm, but I only have a few minutes. I’ll try to get to that tomorrow.
I think Will enjoyed his birthday overall, and I’m looking forward to spoiling the kids with their big Peter Pan party where the boys will be pirates and the girls will be fairies. All of the treasures I ordered from Oriental Trading have come in, and I have the cutest Message in a Bottle invitations to fill out and put together today. The last big theme party we did was two years ago, so we’re celebrating in style this year.
So, here’s to a month of happy birthdays!
Hollabacks
Happy Birthday Will and Hunter!!
Love, The Tapps
Posted by Michelle on 04/07 at 08:08 AM
happy birthday will and hunter! i will have a birthday myself tomorrow, the 9th. funny you mention the expectations of birthdays. i did not expect to ever turn “35”!! i am in shock really. can’t wait to hear why little hunter is in an arm cast. i so enjoy your journal. jocie
Posted by jocie on 04/08 at 08:42 PM
I can’t believe that Will is five and Hunter is almost three! Wow! Where did the years go? And you 30? I guess I am right behind you . :( I miss you so much and feel badly for missing your children grow up.
Love you my friend!
Kathleeeeeeeeeeeeeeen
Posted by Kathleen on 04/10 at 08:33 AM
Happy (late) Birthday Will!!! And poor Hunter, I hope she feels better soon!! Their party sounds like a blast-- wish we could be there! I would love to have half of your planning skills!!!
Posted by Emily Snapp on 04/11 at 09:55 PM
You gals are so sweet! Thank you for your happy wishes. I’m glad you still drop by every now and then too!
I promise a new story soon. If you still remember the password, there are new familypics up at dropshots.com/heatherkate.
Love ya lots!!
Posted by heatherkate on 04/14 at 08:39 AM
