The downside to turning five

Turning five is more than just the glamour of being bigger, getting presents, and throwing parties. It also comes with the five-year doctor's appointment.

It is a pretty involved affair that comes with not one, not two, but no less than three vaccination shots. It seems we got him updated for just about everything including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella. Mathias was not singing the praises of modern medicine. Ericka gets the medal for taking him to that appointment!

For the latest stats... Mathias measured 40 inches, which gets you to the 5th percentile of five year-olds. He weighs 32 pounds. That doesn't get you on the chart...

Spring break!

Being a family of 75% boys I guess we aren't the lay-on-the-beach-and-soak-up-the-sun types. When others headed for sunnier locales for their spring break we hopped in the car and drove to the Wisconsin Dells. Fun was had by all. But I need to get back to work to get rested!

Five years later

After the commotion of the weekend's party we celebrated Mathias' actual five-year birthday quietly at home.

For Mathias, the highlight

- of course - was opening birthday gifts. Friends and relatives were very generous to him.

His brother gave him a pair of roller skates and his parents a bean-bag chair. Thanks to all who remembered him!

Party like you're 5!

After a very, very, long, countdown we arrived at the day of Mathias' 5-year birthday party. I should clarify that it was a long countdown for M. Ericka and I were in denial pretty much up to the last minute. We still can't believe he's turning five! Were did that half decade go?!

Mathias invited eight of his friends to help him celebrate. They played, ate pizza & cake, and banged on a pinata. The whole ordeal lasted only 2 1/2 hours. But we were tired the rest of the day...

Catching up

Johan is walking in his big brother's footsteps.

Getting an early jump on Fat Tuesday

Nowadays, Christmas decorations start coming out right after Halloween and retailers are hawking Valentine's merchandise in January...

So we feel perfectly justified kicking off Fat Tuesday bun season a week early last night.

The boys liked them. At least they ate the whipped cream and almond paste. They mostly bypassed the bread. I believe they call that high-grazing.