It seems like he was just born, but Silas turned five at the beginning of the month. He is such a little ray of sunshine — so cheerful, smiley and expressive — this boy really wears his heart on his sleeve.  Of course he loves anything his big brothers are into, but he really enjoys art, dancing, gymnastics, animals, babies, and TALKING. These qualities make him a notorious ladies man, but he doesn’t let it go to his head (or even seem to notice). I had this to say about him on his birthday:

Five. Our baby boy turns five today. It is so fun watching our sweet, precocious, positive, sunny Si grow up. Today feels a little bittersweet though. Between our three boys I’ve spent the past decade learning about construction vehicles (who knew there were so many), emergency services, trains, superheroes, bugs and dinosaurs. I habitually alert the boys when we see a vehicle of interest while we’re in the car, or if we see policemen, firefighters, or military personnel in uniform. I’ve accumulated hours watching construction zones and waving at garbage men with little boys or chasing them on their bikes with a stroller. Sometimes I get bored to tears reading Tonka books to no end. Now my last little boy is getting older. He will start kindergarten in the fall, learn to read, and soon trade in these sweet little boy things for video games, Pokemon cards, and sports. I look forward to every stage, but can’t help feeling a little sentimental too! We love you Silas Tristan and you’ll always be our baby boy!

Silas received Wii Minigolf from his brothers

He invited a few of his nearest and dearest to his party at Kidz Bounce

They didn’t have fun at all

Clare & Layla

The gang

Silas requested angel food cake with berries and “whoop cream”

It took him a while to blow the candles out and the big “5” fell off the cake and onto the platter while he kept blowing the others out. Jonathan and I briefly panicked, but all was okay.

With his gal Charlotte

With Xander

With Charlotte

With Bode & Deacon

With Louis & Emmett

With Ethan

With Caden

The three amigos

Last night as a four-year-old!

Here’s what we were up to the rest of February. Auntie Ashleigh came for a visit at the beginning of the month. The kids loved seeing her!

Kieron and his buddy Louis

In the tree fort at Swenson Park

A little pre-bedtime madness for Daddy

Avery loves his lil sis

One day Layla was screaming during her nap. I came in and found her like this. Poor thing, but it was kind of cute!

The King and the Maresca boys out for a bike ride. And look! Blue sky!

Kieron at his basketball game

High-fiving his coaches after a fun season

A quiet moment before dinner. It’s like this at our house all the time 😉

Science with Kieron

Silas tried karate with Kieron in February. He was excited to participate with his big brother, but after a month he decided it wasn’t for him just yet.

Kieron has some powerful kicks and punches!

Avery likes to help feed Layla

She likes it too!

“Mmmm, this hat tastes good!”

Silas’ last night as a four-year-old

It’s been quite a winter here! In mid-February we got a surprise 11 inches of snow. The boys were thrilled when school was cancelled. I think they ended up with 2 1/2 days off that week. Then the following week was mid-winter break (where half the population leaves for California or Hawaii). Ironically, we had no wild weather that week. Then the next Monday we were hit with another surprise blizzard that closed the parkway and left many of our neighbors stranded for hours in their cars. I stopped counting, but we’ve had lots of snow days and late starts this year. We make the most of them, but I am ready for spring!

Building snow forts

Deep snow means snow ice cream at our house!

All bundled up!

Little angels!

Avery’s first driveway.

Playdate with Charlotte

Snow bunny!

Warming up