Aaron is Five!

Aaron turned five years old yesterday!  I can't believe how much he has changed in the past year.  My chubby little blonde baby has been replaced by this tall and lean (although still blonde)...boy.  When did this happen?!  And he's smart and perceptive and creative and helpful and handsome and...I could go on and on.  Although I feel a bit panicky at the thought of how quickly time is passing, we are so grateful for every minute we get to spend with our Aaron Christopher.

Aaron woke up to his first present on the kitchen table -- the Lego ship he'd been begging for!

So he got right to work.

Then Oma showed up with present number two.

What Lego ship?

Next, he got to open a few more presents from Aunt Christy.

And then we treated him to a special birthday lunch at the restaurant of his choice: Potbelly.

Later that evening, the real party began at Chuck E. Cheese, every kid's dreamland (and every adult's nightmare)!  But it wasn't about the adults, it was all about Aaron, and he had a blast.

He hung out with his cousins.

He discovered a love of arcade games.

He took a lucrative turn in the "ticketblaster."

He took the stage and led us all in a birthday song.

He got some more awesome birthday presents...

...including a Kris Bryant jersey just like Nate's!

He rubbed shoulders with some celebrities.

(Literally.  He only let Chuck E. Cheese rub up against his shoulder.  No hugs.)

Jill was the only one brave enough to hug Chuck E.

And of course, he blew out his birthday candles surrounded by loving family and friends.

Happy birthday, Aaron!  We love you so much, we would spend every day at Chuck E. Cheese just to see that smile!