Our Birthday BOY!

FIVE! Andrew is five! This is a huge day.  Even these last few months as we've talked with Drew he's become so much more of a boy.  He describes things and tells stories like a kid.  He laughs at things little boys laugh at.  He listens in on my conversations with Dan and chirps in commentary.  He asks a million wonderful questions about where, and who, and why and how.  He remembers everything so we try to only tell him things we can follow through with, and even then, we fall short.  He thrives on our attention.  He drinks up time with us!

Andrew loves learning new things!  One thing I've yet to share about him is that Andrew can read fluently.  He's been reading for some time now and has also shown a great interest in Math. He's really excited to start school.  Kindergarten will bring its own challenges with growing up, learning how to be friends, how to thrive in a classroom.  He's excited about all of these things. 

Drew loves to share what he learns with Forrest.  He'll often read things to Forrest and get Forrest excited about the things he likes.  Its been so awesome to see how his love of learning is a gift that he shares with others.  I think this quality will carry him far in life.

Andrew is sweet, and sensitive.  He'll often tear up at the sight of another in pain, in sadness, or when he's happy that things that were wrong are made right.  Once, we watched a movie where a cat was lost from home.  When the cat returned to a very happy family, he smiled, teared up and cuddled with me.  I'll never forget the way he snuggled up in my arms.  It was a tender moment.  He's filled with compassion. 

Drew P. (Say it fast! :) loves to play with his little bro and sister.  And although he can throw a tantrum with the best of them, he's quick to realize when he's out of line and feels terribly sorry about it. 

Some of you have known Andrew from the time he was born.  You may remember seeing Dan and I buckle his little body into our jogging stroller for a run along the Provo trail.  He was always so content just sitting there, looking around. Its hard for me to believe that its been five years since those sweet days at the Y filled with endless hours exclusively for Andrew.  Days, never to be forgotten, as Dan always says.  Our time together, just Andrew and I, during the day was so short in duration.  I have to admit that it was difficult for me at first to let go of the one-on-one time with him.  But, we've all made the transition to his having siblings so close in age, an all and all, I think he's been great about it! Andrew has the blessing and the burden of being the eldest.

I'm so grateful for his happiness, his gentle heart, his willingness and eagerness to learn, and his creativity.  We love our Andrew.

Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

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We've been trying to explain to Andrew for some time now that his birthday is the day after Adelaide's.  We realized he finally "got it" it when he announced "Adelaide's birthday is squashed into mine!"  ha ha!!! 

He wants a pirate theme...

We're having a combined family birthday party with my parents, Kate and Josh and the Petersons visiting from Utah. Dan's cool little sis Amy is also sharing a birthday today!! Happy birthday to Amy!!! And a little shout out to our friend Ian Larson too!  What a crazy-fun birthday-day across the universe! :)