Look Who's Five!

Jonah Ian Shirts--Age 5 yrs

What's It Like to Be 5? (A conversation with Jonah)

What's your favorite food? Chicken Pillows

Favorite cereal? Life

Favorite Scripture Story? Alma the Younger

Favorite Movie? Alvin and the Chipmunks

Favorite T.V. Show? Curious George, Tom and Jerry

Favorite thing to do outside? Jump on trampoline

Favorite Sport? Baseball

Favorite Thing to do At School? Play in the Gym

Favorite song? "Fast Christmas" (The Christmas Song) by Alvin and the Chipmunks

Favorite Thing to Do Inside? Play Roller Coaster Tycoon with Dad

Favorite Color? BLUE...and red, and yellow, and orange

Favorite Birthday Present? Hot Wheels Race Track

What Do You Want to be When you Grow Up? A Clown

What makes you happy? Being together with my family

Today was the Primary Program at Church. Jonah doesn't really like to be up in front of a lot of people and he was kind of nervous to say his part. But he told me that he was going to be very brave, and he was! He did awesome, delievering his line, "My name is Jonah and I love Jesus." It was perfect! And I don't think there was a better singer in the Primary (in my opinion, anyway!) I am so proud of my little man for being so brave and doing something that seemed so scary.

For Jonah's birthday, he had the choice of either having a birthday party at home or having a family party at Chuck-E-Cheese. He really wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheese (he's a game fanatic!) so we met the rest of the Barringtons there and had a great time.

The Shirts at Chuck-E-Cheese's (and no, Lincoln does not have a pink blanket...that is Kate's jacket!)

Then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa Barringtons' house to have cake and ice cream and open presents. This year Jonah had a baseball cake because he is such a baseball fan. Of course it was chocolate--Jonah's favorite cake/ice cream flavor. (Whenever we go to Baskin Robbins on Dollar Scoop Night, he always picks a new flavor of chocolate ice cream and it is always soooo good--and all over his face, of course!) We sang Happy Birthday and had a great time.

Since I am a Mom, I have bragging rights so I thought I'd record some of the great things that I love about my Jonah-man. (So beware...bragging ahead!)
Jonah at the hospital as a newborn

Jonah is...

• SILLY!! Lately, he is just way into being silly...pulling silly faces, making silly jokes (including potty humor, unfortunately), doing silly dances. He loves funny shows and funny songs and his laugh is just infectious. No longer can he just smile for the camera...there is always a goofy posed attached. He can find humor in anything which is a great quality to have.

One Year Old

• SMART!! I know I'm biased, but I have always thought he is such a smart cookie. He started reading last year and is now into Math and Science. He likes to write me notes, sounding out the words phonetically on his own (and almost always I can read and understand what he is writing!) He is so inquisitive and ALWAYS asking questions. It's like I can see the wheels turning in his head trying to figure out the way the world works. He loves school, even though his teacher has told me that he already knows most of what they are learning. But it is a great environment for him to be in and he LOVES his teacher and class and the entire school experience.

Two Years Old

• SPORTY!! Know a sport? Jonah will play it. And he plays with INTENSITY...he gets very focused on his games. And (bragging again) I think that he's pretty darn athletic, too. Now, will he play it on an organized team while there are lots of people watching in the stands? That's another story, which leads us to our next thought...
• SENSITIVE!! Jonah has always been a bit shy and slow-to-warm up, needing some time to adjust to new situations. School was rough at first, but now he totally loves it...that's how it's been with almost every new thing we've tried. He is scared easily by villains on tv, so he's still not really into Superhero shows or things like that (fine by me!) He doesn't like a lot of people to watch him, either, especially people he doesn't know. But he is getting so much better at being BRAVE! I am very proud of him as he is finding courage to face his fears.

Three Years Old

• SPIRITUAL!! Jonah has a great love for his Heavenly Father and Jesus. Sometimes I find him praying randomly for comfort or help. He loves the scripture stories and singing Primary songs. He is a great example to me of faith.


• A SUPER SIBLING!! Nobody can make Lincoln laugh like Jonah can. Since the day we brought his baby brother home, Jonah has been the best helper I have. He watches over him and entertains him while I'm trying to get things done around the house. And it is great to see the close relationship that Jonah and Kate have. They are great to play together, and when other kids are around Jonah usually takes care to include his little sister. He is a wonderful example to them and I know that he will be for all of his life.

Four Years Old

• SNUGGLY!! Jonah has been a snuggle-bug from day one. I have always been able to cuddle with him and love on him and I love it. Even now he likes to snuggle in bed with me in the mornings before its time to get up. I hope the day never comes when a hug from Mom is an unwanted thing!
  

Five Years Old

Jonah is my first-born baby. I remember how happy I was when he came into my life, and I remember when it was just him and me most of the time (Micah was in law school, and thus very busy). We played together all day every day and he taught me that being a mom can be both the biggest challenge and most rewarding thing I will ever do. He has been my little man for 5 years and I am so blessed to have him for a son. I love his smile, his sweet little spirit, his love of life, his interest in everything. He tries so hard to be good and forgives me when I am too hard on him. Being Jonah's Mom is just a wonderful thing and our family is blessed by this special guy every single day!

I love you, Jonah!! Happy Birthday!