Five Years Old!

How have five years passed so quickly?  Ian continues to amaze us with who he is becoming.  He is independent and very determined.  I love his persistence.  A recent example would be when we visited grandma and grandpa in Florida.  We went to the Cocoa Beach Pool where they have a water slide.  There was a sign stating that anyone under twelve years old needed to pass a swimming test to go on the slide.  So I asked the life guard what the test entailed and he said simply swimming 25 yards across the pool.  Confident that Ian can swim 25 yards unassisted we found a free lifeguard to administer the test.  Ian started swimming across the pool but it quickly became apparent that the guard wanted Ian to die something other than the doggie paddle.  Ian was confused about why I stopped him halfway down the pool.  I explained that the guard wanted him to swim differently but that he could still go on the slide he just had to wear a life jacket.  He LOVED the slide.  But the next day when we returned to the pool he asked me if he could try the test again... He didn't want to give up!
He also is quite a problem solver.  He likes to think up creative ways to build things and often tells me to write down his ideas so we don't forget them.  His visual-spacial abilities are remarkable.  He got several Lego sets for his birthday and is putting together the advanced creations with almost no help.  The only times I get involved are when he's skipped a step or two and nothing's aren't fitting together like they should.  
Perhaps the biggest change in Ian is his growing self assured ness.  Just a week or two before his birthday I noticed a huge change in that he was confidently talking to friendly strangers when asked questions (and sometimes unprompted!).  He also seemed to connect more with the kids at school and no longer protests when it's a school day.  It's fun seeing him develop into such a confident kid!  
Ian wanted to invite friends over for his birthday so seven friends from school came over for some playtime, a piñata and cake and ice cream.  It was super fun to see the kids playing all over the house and Ian having such a good time.  His party was on the day before his real birthday so we were able to have a relaxing family day on his actual birthday followed by a sleepover at Mimi's (Stephen was working a night shift).  
Stephen and I feel so blessed to have such a remarkable, delightful, energetic, adventurous, considerate, resilient boy as my son!