To my sweet and kind-hearted Ethan,

I cannot believe you're five years old today!  It seems like just yesterday you reluctantly came into our lives!  You are such a joy!  I see a little man in you more every day, and if the next five years go as fast as the first five years, you'll be grown and gone before I know it!

God has made you into such a special and tender-hearted boy, and I'm so thankful that I get the chance to be your mother! You are as adventurous and boyish as they come, and this year has been your year to really overcome some of those little boy...or childish, really...traits. 

Your whining has improved dramatically, and one of the only times you tell us a story is when it comes to some sort of dessert you think you're entitled to! :-)  You go out of your way to be sweet to your sister, and you're trying to teach your brother how to be a tough boy!  I can't believe you're over half way done with kindergarten already.  You're so smart and kind and loving and I just can't get over the way the Lord has worked in your heart!  Your care and concern for others is precious.  You love to tell jokes, sing songs, play basketball, color--never saw that coming--, and get filthy-dirty outside! 

You love to know all that you know and you're anxious to know more.  We talk nonstop about anything and everything or well, sometimes you talk nonstop about anything and everything. And then, everything that you can soak up, you do!  Your memory is astonishing!  We've lived in our current home since you were two, but you'll still mention where we used to live  and the dogs we used to have from time to time.  You're such an amazing person! 

My Ethan, my little man--  I cannot even describe how much I love you!  We all love you and are so proud of who you are!

Love,  Mama