Turning 5

Six months after Hudson came home he turned 3 and I remember thinking "5 is SO soon".....I don't know what it is about turning 5.  I guess it is the start of a new chapter in life, departure from toddlerhood and the launch into school days.  When they turn 5 they are no longer babies, I think it is when you first start to see them pull away.  It is halfway to 10 and that is SO big and the time goes so fast.  I did not think this way when my other three were little.  Partly because when my oldest was 5, I had a 3 yr old and 1 yr old....partly because I was young and having teenagers was SO far away but mostly because in the midst of zoo field trips and planning simple birthday parties we are waiting for college acceptance letters in the mail and shopping for homecoming dresses.

September 13 was the day in our house, not sure if that is Hudson's true birthday but the date that was given to him so we will go with that.   He was found on the 19th and I am thinking about celebrating that day instead as it truly was the day that changed his life.  I think SO much of his mom (and dad) on that day and the heartbreak I am certian they felt as they left him in a very public place to be found quickly.  SO wish they were part of our life to help us celebrate this fantastic kid.

When Hud woke up Septemeber 13 and the girls told him "Happy Birthday" he looked down at his body, arms and legs and with total seriousness said "but I'm not bigger".  When Kailee explained to him that you don't grow overnight he said "Well, why am I five then?"  See, they want to be big so badly.  He spent the morning of the 13 at preschool and I brought up cupcakes to help celebrate.  He was thrilled to share this day with all of his new friends.  We then headed down to Dallas for a scope and the decision about the next surgery.  He was a trooper as they numbed his nose and threaded a tiny camera down his right nostril to watch the movement, or lack of, of his palate (more on that later).  We got home late and just had a simple celebration with cake before heading off to bed.  He told everyone all week that he really didn't turn 5 until his birthday party Saturday.

On Saturday he finally could be 5 as we had just a few of his closest friends join us to help celebrate.   He is very proud of the fact that he is "older than Calli"..he must have told us this 10 times throughout the day.  In fact, the other day when we were talking about the upcoming field trip to the zoo and he was telling me giraffes were taller than all the other animals he added "just like I am older than Calli"...(again, what is it about 5??)

I am grateful that we get to watch this sweet boy grow....in just a few short days it will our third anniversary of "the call"....how can it be?