Our five-year-old Joseph!

Joseph turned five on Monday, and Tuesday we had his birthday party. Joseph plans his birthday party for most of the year, and Joseph never thinks small. Ideas he considered this year included a week-long camp-out in our yard during which time the guests would help plant a tropical rain forest surrounding our house, and a party featuring a huge, dramatic erupting volcano with real fire and necessitating several truck loads of dirt. Expectations are, shall we say, high. He loves a party about as much as anyone, and I love for him to have a happy birthday, so I go ahead and try to plan a nice party for him. This year we settled on the relatively modest plan of a chocolate cake and some ice cream at a very cool playground, and we (thankfully!) had success!! Really what he loves more than anything is to be surrounded by a boisterous bunch of kids all running around yelling and shouting and laughing, and that we can deliver. There was a short little interlude of hail in the middle of the party to add a little drama, but the strong, gusting winds just made blowing bubbles and flying a kite that much more fun!

The birthday boy looking a little coy as everyone sings happy birthday to him:

Sliding fun with a few of his preschool "buddy pals" as he endearingly calls them:

Isaac spent much of the afternoon trying to throw Grandpa off his game and sneak a few pebbles into his mouth:

Joseph surrounded by kids, opening presents, chocolate smeared on his face.

Yes, he had a happy birthday.