Birthday boy!

After months

and months

and months

and months

of tedious waiting and praying for patience, it finally arrived!

David's 5th birthday!

After Mary's gymnastics class, we let him open the first of his presents. (After all that waiting--a whole year!--it seemed cruel to make him wait until evening to open everything!)

That evening we had a family gathering to celebrate the birthday boy. A dad, a mom, four grandparents, three cousins, two uncles, an aunt, and a baby sister. Not a bad turn-out!

How wonderful to celebrate David on his birthday with so many family members!

We had the traditional cake and ice cream.

And, oh the joys of opening presents! (Especially on your daddy's lap!)

What a fun, fun celebration! David especially enjoyed sharing in the festivities with his cousins!

I really like this five-year-old thing. Still sweet, still innocent. But more mature and independent. And, to me, a lot more fun. I'm very happy David is five. I'm not sure how he feels, though, because the day after his birthday, David woke up whining to me, "Mommmeeeeeeee, I want to be SIX!"

Let the waiting begin. Again.