Hard to believe...but Ben is now 5 years old! Wasn't it just yesterday when I was overdue, went to the hospital to be induced, only to get bumped because there were too many women already in labor and no beds available (funny how that memory is still so vivid :o)). But it is true and we had a lot of fun celebrating and ate lots of cake in the process! Here are some pics from the big event.

Finally-he gets to use all of his fingers on one hand! I remember when he was 2, he could hold up 2 fingers on one hand, so he would show us his 2 pointer fingers.

" Thanks, Claire, for the real baseball bats! I'll be all set for T-Ball!"

And a Joe Mauer shirt....so exciting! How appropriate that it was on Ben's birthday that Joe returned to the Twins for the first time this season and hit a home run at his first at bat!

Cake #2 (#1 was at school earlier in the day) was a rainbow cake that Ben made with Grandma---yummy!

Fast forward to Saturday (the day after his actual b-day) and here he is at his friend party. A great time was had by all at the health club with lots of gym time, pizza and chocolate cupcakes!
Back home for a family BBQ celebration!

Thanks, Grandma, for the Colt's chair!

"Thanks, Aunt Deb and Mia! We've been learning about this author at school this month!"

"Thanks, Uncle Brian, Aunt Kristy, Vivian and Olivia! I've already been using my new tennis racket at the school tennis courts!"

Thanks to Granny, I'm all set for the cabin this summer....a new life vest and fishing hat!

Thanks, Pullen South! My very own wetsuit! I can't wait to learn to water ski this summer!
Cake #4...Goldy Gopher and the U of M. He is his father's son!

Thanks for coming to visit us and to help celebrate Ben's birthday, Grandma! We had a great time and loved spending time with you!!