Five - A Good Age for Firsts

Let us begin with a few months ago, January 7th actually. Jonah turned five years old and our dear, sweet, boy decided to forgo a party of any kind to have a day with the family. We started with donuts, his choice, and ended with bowling, go carts, laser tag, cake, and ice cream. It was a very special day and it was extra fun to just celebrate as a family.

Starting the day off in style, candle blowing #1.

Unfortunately we don't have any in-between pictures of all the festivities, but here we are again at the house sharing cake and ice cream. Reed, Dana, and kids were here to celebrate this time. Never lose this genuine, sweet smile, Jonah!
Five has already proven to be a special year for Jonah. While he has continued spending many hours in the basement practicing his moves...

He now has begun his first ever basketball season on a team. He plays in an Upwards basketball league with daddy and Uncle Reed as coaches. The team name is the Kangaroos and Jonah ends each game and practice by asking when the next time he can play basketball will be. More pictures to come of this, but here is one from my camera of a game. Jonah is #15 with his back to the camera.

Another first that has arrived with age five is family game night, which has nearly become a weekly regular. We all love playing Uno Attack, including the budding card shark, Levi.

He may play showing all of his cards, but I think it's just a ploy to make you feel confident before he slaps you with a Skip.

More often than not, Jonah is the winner.

And for the most recent of firsts that has arrived with five, today, March 10th, Jonah lost his first tooth. After a bit of hesitation, Jonah put on a brave face and decided to let daddy pull out his tooth. Brian grabbed some toilet paper to help him grip it and pulled that puppy out without a wiggle. Pulling out your child's first tooth has to be one of those moments that officially makes you feel like a dad. Here's Jonah showing off his new smile.

And keeping in tradition of when mommy was little, Jonah put his tooth in a cup of water to see what will await him in the morning. Although he knows the story of the tooth fairy, he also knows that fairies aren't real. :) So, like a smart boy, he's waiting to see what mommy and daddy have for him.

We love you so much, Jonah, and have a bittersweet feeling about you growing up. While it is sad to think of how it is getting harder to hold you on my lap, it is also so exciting to think of the man that God is growing you up to be. We are so thankful that God has entrusted us with you and pray that you will grow to glorify Him. Love you big guy!