FIVE!

My biggest little man had his fifth birthday.  He has been ready for this day for a full year, and it finally arrived.  He woke up to some requested chocolate cereal.  He got his first big boy set of Legos, his first remote control car, a shark Playmobil set, some shark books, his first glitter glue markers (that we have since declared only for those ages five and over), and a stuffed shark that is now ever in his arms at night.

Soren wanted to go to Golden Corral for his birthday dinner with just Mom.  That was his choice because of the "chicken and smashed potatoes."

About my Soren Navarro:

If you ask his name, he'll say, "I'm Soren Navarro.  That's a rock star name."

He is very sensitive.  He must have a decent light on in his room at night.  A small nightlight doesn't cut it.  He'll turn the hall light on even in the middle of the day.  Anything scary on TV worries him even though he begs to watch scary shows.  If we are in an unfamiliar situation, his hand will be firmly in mine from start to finish.  He wants to know all details about what to expect on any given day.  

He talked about his birth parents quite a bit on his birthday.  I think he was so excited to be 5, and he really wanted everyone to be excited with him.  I think he thought they should know and celebrate with him.

He would rather stay inside with me when everyone else heads outside.

He bites his nails.

He weighs 38 pounds.

He loves being the oldest little one.  He is very competitive!

Pleasing me is so important to him.  He tries hard to be good.  He gets in trouble most often for picking on Zade.  He knows Zade's buttons, and he finds it irresistible.  He also loves to wrestle and throw his weight around.  We know that was how the boys played in the past, but there's something about it that isn't innocent boy rough housing, so we don't allow it at all.  

He is an artist!  I have a hard time getting rid of anything he does in art class because it is all so good.

He is a snuggler and would love to spend hours on my lap every day.  He has a deep need for love and security that we are trying to fill, but it will take time.

He loves sharks, but mostly nice sharks like the Nemo ones.

He can sound out words.  He can ride a bike.  He knows his continents.  He asks questions constantly in a thirst for knowledge.  His biggest thing right now is to make me define virtually any word I use.  

His heart is so sweet that I hate that there is so much loss and pain in there.  He wants nothing more than to be loved by everyone.  

This boy makes me proud, and I look forward to the years ahead we have together!