Eli Turns 5!

Every year I think, "I can't believe my little one is ___!"  It never fails to be a bittersweet realization that my kiddo's growing older.  Eli had been very ready for his 5th birthday to arrive.  I believe it was talked about daily, looked up months ahead, and counted down for days.

Unfortunately, two days before his birthday Eli got hit with the stomach flu.  :(  He spent that Sunday morning throwing up several times over a course of hours.  Then he spent pretty much the rest of the week struggling with diarrhea and not feeling quite up to his usual bouncy, enthusiastic self.

I was in the throes of morning (all-day) sickness, as well as dealing with both kids' stomach flu, and a couple really bad days of flu/morning sickness combo myself.  I prayed that I could feel all right for Eli's special day, and thankfully I managed all right.

On Eli's birthday David stayed home for a little extra time in the morning to take Eli to get donuts and a balloon.  Poor Eli didn't even feel well enough to go.

Eli had school on his birthday and got to be the leader for the day!  Clara and I brought in cupcakes during snack time to share with the class.  Everyone sang to Eli, he got a pencil and note pad (which he thought was the coolest gift), and the kids dug in.  I was able to read the class a story, and Clara and I stayed for the rest of the class time, accompanying them while playing on the playground, and while they packed up for the day.  Clara naturally LOVED being one of the "big kids," and all the girls in the class treated her as their "little chick."  I thoroughly enjoyed watching Eli interact with his classmates.  There are 20 kids in his class and he played with a big group of them on the playground, having a ball and getting along very well.

We had to make vanilla cupcakes because one of his classmates is allergic to chocolate.  Eli requested green frosting with gummy bears on top.

Eli wore his new pirate hat to school on his birthday.  :)

He also picked out this blue ribbon from the party store, which he wore every day for a week leading up to his birthday.  :)

We went to Chick-fil-A as a family for dinner that night.  But at that point Eli wasn't feeling too well and didn't even want to play on the playground.  ;(  We made it home just in time for him to run to the bathroom with more upset stomach.  :(  At least the whole day wasn't spent like that!

Even though Eli didn't feel fully healthy on his special day, he still thought it was terrific!