5 1/2 years old!

If I was to give five descriptions of Ian, here are the ones I would choose at this stage in his life:

1. Affectionate - All three of my kids love hugs, kisses, and snuggles, but Ian appreciates and initiates it the most. He is also the one most prone to say thank you and give unsolicited compliments.

2. Loves Star Wars and superheroes - I can only hope that in December he enjoys seeing the Star Wars movie as much as he thinks he will. This boy talks about Star Wars ALL the time. While shopping for the birthday plates and napkins for Nadia yesterday, he asked me to buy him Star Wars plates and such for his birthday. I am sure he won't be changing his mind so I bought the supplies 6 months in advance. That's a first!

3. Loves Legos and other toys - He spends many hours playing with Legos each week. When he gets a new toy, it is hard for him to be separated from it (ex. stop playing with it to go eat a meal or leave the house). One of his first questions when he gets a new toy is whether he can take the toy outside or in the bathtub. Again, he doesn't want to be separated from his toys. He is far more attached to his toys than his siblings.

4. If he was allowed, I think he would eat Cocoa Puffs for breakfast every single day and chicken nuggets or chicken fingers with honey mustard sauce and french fries with ketchup for dinner every single day. In fact, he wouldn't mind eating that same meal for lunch AND dinner on the same day. The good news is that there is a meal he can eat very quickly that is served by most restaurants. He also loves to eat chocolate chip pancakes at Perkins and a grilled cheese sandwich with goldfish crackers at Friendly's.

5. Becoming braver and more outgoing - He still has moments of being shy and/or fearful (ex. still won't go across the rope at the playground), but in general he's showing more bravery. He rode 3 different BIG roller coasters yesterday for a grand total of 11 times! Most amusement parks won't even allow someone his height to ride a roller coaster. He absolutely loves the Phoenix!