Lincoln's 5th birthday

Today was Lincoln's 5th birthday.  He has been eagerly counting down the days, pretty much since he turned four.  He is such an enthusiastic child, it is deeply satisfying to spoil him a bit on his birthday.  Every tiny present or special privilege or phone call was received with an enormous grin.  It started first thing this morning when Evan handed him one of the key birthday presents-- a shirt that has a "5" on the front.  Ever since Gilbert handed down a "3" shirt, number shirts declaring age have been integral to Lincoln's wardrobe.  Last year's "4" shirt was a huge hit, and was duly modified in December to read "4 1/2" (I love Sharpies).  Now, he has a five shirt.  He hugged it to himself delightedly for a long time before he put it on.  Then, on to the menu of the day.  The birthday boy chose pancakes.  He also chose Kraft dinner for supper (I don't know whether to be mortified that he wanted that versus other food, or excited that I don't serve it too much for it to be moved out of the "foods we don't get all the time" category).  However, we managed to talk him into that for lunch, so we had pork roast and potatoes for supper.  Then, carrot cake with candles!

 See?  His shirt loudly proclaims his age.

Cute little cheeks puffing out for the big blow!

We had bought Lincoln some clearance Playmobil for his birthday, and I wasn't planning on giving it to him until Daddy came home, but the other kids were desperate for him to open it, so I caved.  Then, of course, the big kids had to play with him.  I agreed to drive them to school so they could have a precious extra half hour to play, and then Lincoln asked, "Can we pick them up from school today?  Because it is my birthday..."  Well, hard to argue with my kids wanting to spend more time together, so we did that.  And you have never heard such interesting going-ons as those Playmobil figures got into.  Lincoln had got a photo safari set, complete with elephants, rhinos, a cheetah, and some thrilling bones.  The new animals segued nicely into the lives of the already-owned wedding piano player, jogging mother, hunter, supermarket clerk, etc.  It's great fun to eavesdrop!

Lincoln had kindergarten screening last week, which is making me want to stop time a little bit.  I think he will be delighted with school, but I'm going to wildly miss my little daytime buddy.  It's also a huge change in my life-- no kids at home.  Should I be looking for jobs?  Becoming a school volunteer?  For at least a few years, I want to be home-- available for sick kids, keeping up with all the laundry and cooking and WORK of four kids in the house.  It's going to be different, though.  Sometimes, I want to grab my kids and move to a cabin in the woods so I can have them with me more.  For now, though, I just enjoy these precious years.