He's FIVE!

Happy Birthday Ezekiel Dekker! You are five years old today. You have grown in to a little boy! The baby and toddler years are officially over and it's a little sad and a lot awesome! Yes, those young years are precious and delightful, but I like every stage and age with you! I'm sharing a few pictures from the first days of your life and some from this past year as you have developed into the wonderful boy you are now. Here's what you've been up to, things you enjoy, and all that makes you, YOU!

24 hours old

You made me a Momma!

Our first family of '3' photo

Aunt Teresa, Aunt Heather, and Mimi came down to see you just hours after you were born. 

Sweet sleeping boy

Brand new baby

Newborn photo shoot

I love bath time photos! 

- We are homeschooling you during these preschool years. Every day we go over the day of the week, month, date, and weather. You have memorized two Bible verses and I'm going to have a new one for you every month this year. You recognize most of your letters and have learned to write all of them in uppercase. Your "Home Life" tasks include putting away the silverware from the dishwasher every day and clearing the table after meals. We have begun simple math -- addition and subtraction (Mondays). We complete a science project every Tuesday from your new engineering book which you are greatly enjoying. On Wednesdays we study a new animal, watch videos, and play games online at the National Geographic website. On Thursdays we read from your chapter book. On Fridays we work on your Kumon books which, currently, include Uppercase Letters and Logic. 

- You have been playing the piano for nearly a year! As you were just 4 when we began, I learned to take a step back and not push so hard. So we haven't had a lesson every week, and some lessons include just passing one song and learning one new one. But doing this more laid back approach has seemed to work for us. You are still interested in playing the piano, you enjoy practicing most days and there hasn't been crying from either of us in several months! You have begun to learn about the staff and reading music. Your first piano recital was in December and I was so proud of you! You played "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" (your favorite) and "Good King Wenceslas". 

- You typically sleep from 9 pm - 7:30/8 am. Some days you sleep in longer which I love because it's what I enjoy doing as well! You nap just once or twice a week. Otherwise after lunch you watch a show and have some rest time and then we are able to do a few uninterrupted school activities during the week, especially your science projects.   

- You still love strings, electrical cords, lights (oh so many lights!), scarves. Your obsession remains after 5 years. I don't get it, but am very interested to see how this will play out in your future. Just this morning you pulled a string off of Levi's underwear, I asked you to throw it away, and you said you were having fun playing with it. Umm... ok. You are unique and easily entertained and it's wonderful!

- You continue to be a terrific eater. Rarely picky. You love fruits and vegetables. And pizza. And chicken. And whipped cream. And the list goes on. I am often impressed by the amount of food you eat. Yet you also are good at self-regulating. Yesterday Daddy asked you if you wanted some of his pretzel in the afternoon and you said no, you were still full from lunch. 

- Last year you played instructional soccer in the spring, took summer swim lessons, and then did another block of soccer in the fall which included actual games. When I asked you what you wanted to play last fall, I read through some descriptions from the Chilson Center. Then you happened to see a picture of a child playing golf. And that's what you decided you wanted to play. As they do not start until 5 years old, we went ahead and put you in soccer. But you have not forgotten your great aspiration to play golf upon turning five. You are currently doing a month-long Mommy and Me dance class which has been fun. But you recently reminded me that your desire for golf remains, especially since you'll be 5 soon. :D 

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- You are quite sweet with your little brother and sister. You are fairly patient with them and can be such a big helper! Recently, Zoë was pouring water over your head during bath time. You just looked at me and smiled and said that you didn't mind that she was doing it. I'm constantly thankful for your sweet, calm, and gentle spirit. Some times it does bother you and you'll let me or Daddy know, but for the most part you are hard to rile. Levi does know how to push your buttons, but even so, many times you try to talk it out with him before resorting to physical violence :) You aren't always a fan of changing your position or whatever idea you have in your head, so sometimes it can be difficult when your brother or sister come and start messing with you when you are trying to enact a plan. 

- Whenever we are out walking, if we cross paths with people, inevitably you will give them a compliment (LOVE IT!). It can be anything -- "I like your shirt!", "I like your dog!", "I like your gutters!", "I like your lights!" just to name a few. I am very fond of this thoughtful and considerate attitude you have toward others. 

Dancing with Daddy

- You love to be outside! During the summer you were out for hours each day. Even now, in winter, we still spend as much time out there as we can. We have had some very cold, snowy days, and I bundle you up and send you out first and you are the last to come in as well. The cold or hot doesn't seem to bother you much. You complain so little -- that's such a great trait to have, I think! 

Before we wrap up, let's do a little birthday interview! 

Birthday Interview: 1/26/17

What is your favorite food? Strawberries. Meat! And popcorn. Bananas. Mayonnaise. 
What is your favorite movie? "The one that I'm going to the theater." (We're going to see "Moana" on Sunday.) 
Favorite Drink: Orange Juice and Apple Juice 
Favorite Color: Red. 
Favorite Song: "The Wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round." 
Things to do: "Do my school. And do my calendar." 
Favorite Outfit: "Stripes shirts." 
Favorite Outing: Play. 
What do you like about Levi? "Hugging him and kissing him." 
Zoë? "When she plays with me." 
Mommy? "When you take a bath with me."  
Daddy? "When I play rough with him." 
Summer or Winter? Summer
Anything else? "Uh, going to get a new house!" 

Ezekiel Dekker, I am proud to be your Momma! You have such a great attitude toward life and it will serve you well to be able to roll with the punches and deal with what comes your way. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for me to patiently wait, but you usually end up doing what we ask of you, you just need time to think about it. You can be very funny at times and have an extensive vocabulary which makes you more interesting to listen to! I enjoy taking you on short errands with me around town and you seem to enjoy coming along as well. I like our special dates when we go to Boomer Music and get coffee/hot chocolate and play games together. Most recently, you have learned to play Tri-onimos and it is a lot of fun! I hope you have a wonderful, winter-themed, snow birthday today! I can't wait to make this day special with you! Love, Mommy