Happy Birthday, Elijah!

Today was Elijah's 5th birthday and we are so proud of our BIG boy! He has been counting down the days until his birthday and was excited ALL day today, of course!

On the kids' birthdays, I always let them choose their favorite foods to eat during the day. Typically, for breakfast, they choose a new "sugary" cereal that they are not allowed to have except for on their birthdays. But today, Elijah said he wanted....Fiber One! He assured me that it was his favorite cereal, so when he asked for a second bowl, I obliged! I really wasn't thinking about the word "fiber" and its amazing results until he proudly said, "Daddy lets us have this cereal and he says it will help us go to the potty ALL day!" (as if he needs help in that department!) So, the cereal definitely lived up to it's name, as Elijah was thrilled that "Daddy was right!"

The rest of the day was filled with continued preparations for our trip to Ethiopia, along with "pirate" activities all day long ending with a little "pirate" dinner! Again, I asked Elijah what he wanted for dinner and he quickly stated, "Ummm, I think I'll have shrimp with noodles, some broccoli and "warm" (meaning "cooked") carrots!" What 5 year old asks for that for dinner?! So, that is what we fixed for him, served on a pirate's treasure map tablecloth, lemonade in a pirate's cup, with pirate's hats for all to wear during dinner! He LOVEs pirates right now, so he was really surprise and loved his "pirate's feast!"

After dinner, Aunt Brittany had made him some banana cupcakes (his favorite!) that were delicious, we all sang "Happy Birthday" and he ended the night sleeping in his new pirate pajamas and new CARS slippers!

(Every year on his birthday, I take his picture saluting at the camera while wearing Brad's West Point ring and hat in his pajamas to see how he has grown through the years.)

Although there are many more, here are 5 things I love about Elijah:
1) He is so affectionate and loving towards his family (a great snuggler)!
2) He prays diligently for his brother, Kinetibeb and his sister, Yalfal that they will come home soon!
3) He is so focused, determined and curious about things and how they work
4) He is incredibly ticklish and yells, "UNCLE WHO-WHO!" when he wants you to stop tickling him
5) He has such a clever sense of humor with the greatest giggle ever!

He is going to make such a wonderful BIG brother to Kinetibeb and Yalfal! He cannot wait to see them! Happy Birthday Elijah!! We love you!