Birthdaygarten

Baxter turned 5 today! He had a wonderful day, beginning with his first present at breakfast...I wrapped up his favorite cinnamon raisin bread from Trader Joe's! He's been begging for it for days, asking us to go the grocery store each night when he goes to bed so he can have some raisin bread for breakfast! This was a great way to start his birthday.

At school, they celebrated by making cards for Baxter. Some of the kids (mostly girls) drew 2 or 3 cards for him, which his teacher said is very unusual. Apparently Baxter is quite a favorite with the girls! (This is true - walking across the school yard with him is like walking with a rock star: "Hello, Baxter!", "Hey, Baxter!", "Baxter, chase us!" all the girls call. "Who's that?", I ask. "I don't know!" he shrugs, after giving them back a big cheerful wave and hello.) Every single one of his classmates drew a dinosaur for him on his cards - I guess they really know him well.

I went in after lunch and stayed until the end of the day, which he was very excited about. Last night he chose a book for me to read when I came in - Jane Yolen's "In the Green, Green House" about the rainforest. I brought cookies, which the kids ate outside at the picnic table (it was about 70 and sunny here today - hooray!). The kids all sang songs to him, while he turned away or hid his eyes - a rare moment of embarrassment. Then we went back inside and Mrs. Baird showed him all of the cards the kids made him, and they played games of his choosing until the bell rang. It was very cute and he had a great time.

It was a great birthday for Baxter! A special day with Nana and Papa on Saturday, a birthday party with lots of his friends at a playground on Sunday, and then the school celebration and our gifts tonight. Enough chocolate cake to make any child happy. What more could he ask for?

It sure was fun, but I know what we'll be asking for...a good night's sleep and a few quiet, normal days!!