my boy John Paul.... and he's FIVE!

He has been READY for this day, oh to be 5!

And a day where he gets to be the center of attention and pick all the meals and open the presents and just love his newly 5 year old self :)

Breakfast choice: roll-up pancakes (kinda like crepes, with powdered sugar and bananas)

And then the gifts... and he opened those from his siblings first and he was so careful to make sure Daddy got a picture of him with each of them!

For the next 2 months these guys are 2 years apart.... and then they will be little stair steps again (my 14 months apart brothers)

Gotta love that Lydia picked a candy called "sugar", ha!

and now it's Isaac that is stair stepped age with John Paul (5, and 6) .. until Isaac hits 7 in March.

In our family 5 is a big birthday - time to start getting allowance!  So we got this little man three piggy banks, to help him keep his Saving, Spending, and Giving cash organized ;)

The lunch date - always a highlight!

Such a big boy proud to be out to lunch with his Dad.

The afternoon flew by and we were joined for dinner by our dear friend Amanda, who definitely has a special place in her heart for John Paul.  And the feeling is mutual!

The family... growing up and celebrating well.

John Paul was pleased to see that his FIVE candles gave each sibling one to lick. ha!  Classy people, we are!

Hard to believe that my John Paul is five.

We have more celebrating to do too - headed to a hotel with an indoor pool tomorrow for some swimming fun.