Seth is 5 years old!

Today is Seth's birthday and I can't believe that he is 5 years old already - it doesn't feel like it's been that long or he could possibly be that old.  We planned a fun weekend (since he already had his party, we didn't want him to feel left out).  We went blueberry picking and to the bird sanctuary on Saturday and then out for milkshakes.  On Monday, Katsu took the day off of work and we went to the beach and the aquarium and out to Olive Garden for dinner - where they sang to him.  Today, we mostly did things that Seth enjoys - he played Angry Birds on Katsu's tablet this morning.  Then, we went to the $1 and saw Pirates - a movie made by the creators of Wallace and Grommit.  It has been a really long time since we went to the movies, so that was a special treat.  Then, we bought stuff for his birthday cake and dinner and the boys played video games (Lego Star Wars) while Logan took a nap.  Then, we went to the library and got a ton of books.  We had his favorite dinner - Pasta alfredo and then cake (strawberry with chocolate frosting and blueberries on top ... it was his choice) and ice cream and then opened presents.  He got some more circuit pieces from me for his snap circuits (he is very excited about this) and then a game from Katsu that helps you learn to write your Japanese characters and then Spiderman roller skates from Grandma and Grandpa.  He had to try out the skates and the game and then it was time for bed.  A great birthday!

Not much new with Seth.  Still loves to play games - Uno and Sorry are his favorites.  He loves to look through Japanese comics, though he is starting to read himself (or to Logan) easy readers as well.  He really is reading quite well.  He enjoys any kind of screentime.  He loves to go to the pool.  He loves to do anything athletic - sports, running around, scooter, trying to ride his bike, etc.  He also likes to play army with Andrew and is starting to enjoy playing with Logan as well.

Seth is super motivated.  He wakes up early (like probably around 6 am) and gets himself dressed and brushes his teeth.  His clothes are still often backwards, but he always dresses himself.  He likes to watch Wild Krats on TV (a show about nature) and it comes on at 7:30 but he is really supposed to do his work in the summer before doing screentime.  So, he will do his math and handwriting workbook by himself, often while we are still asleep.  And then he will pick out a couple easy reader books to read with me when I wake up.  He is so self-motivated.

Seth has also been learning some around the kitchen, when I am motivated.  He has learned to make grilled cheese sandwiches and scrambled eggs and did a pretty good job.

Fun Things So Far In June:

• River Park North - we went and saw the little nature center there.  The boys enjoyed it.
• Lots of pool visits
• Last Tball game - Katsu was out of town, so I took him.  Seth got a real out (maybe the only one of the season?) and they had cupcakes to celebrate at the end.
• Seth sang for Father's Day - Katsu was out of town, though.
• Kindergarten assessment - Seth read the sight words so quickly they couldn't even check them off.  He is very ready for school.
• Vacation Bible School - the boys were a little reluctant to go but they had fun.  Seth was lucky that his preschool teacher was also his teacher for VBS.  They learned the songs well and sang to us the last day.  They also were excited to donate some money to the water fund.
• Visiting the dentist - no cavities!
• Picking blueberries - Seth picked so many and really had a great time!
• Bird sanctuary - the drive was a little too long for Seth but he was excited by the playground and running around to see all the birds.   There was a little fossil dig there that the boys loved and found some more shark teeth.
• Beach - Seth loved learning to use his boogie board and making lots of sand castles.  We even saw some dolphins.
• Aquarium - Seth was a little grumpy after falling asleep on the way there, but he loved it.  They had a dinosaur exhibit with moving (and one water-squirting) dinosaurs scattered around the aquarium, mostly outside.  In addition to all the tanks inside, we got to see some water birds and crabs in the wild outside.  The boys also loved touching the sting rays and the crabs inside.
• His birthday!