Nolan is five years old!

Today you are five years old. Five! The joy and pizazz and energy you bring to this world is astounding. When you like something, you *really* get into it. These days it's Transformers. Whether you are studying them on wikipedia or learning how to change them from robot to vehicle mode (and back again) or waging destruction on the battlefield with Dad: it's all about Transformers. Even Zadie knows Optimus Prime from Bumblebee so she can share in the world of autobots and decepticons. You keep the packaging from the toys so you can pour over their attributes and discuss them with me and Dad. You actually chewed a large hunk of yellow bell pepper into a shape that could be transformed into a robot. You wanted an even number of good guys and bad guys so that it would be a fair battle. Remember the movie "Cars?" That was so last year. It is so fun to see you fall into a new love and soak it all in.

You're back to swimming classes and have added gymnastics. You are very good at both and mostly follow directions. Like anything else you enjoy, though, sometimes you get a little rascally with sheer excitement. Your dad and I both think this is a good thing. You have got so much energy firing through your body. You can jump 37" from standing; your goal is to leap from your bed across the room to your sister's. You are *very* close. If there is dirt or bark or sand around, it will inevitable end up in your pockets, your socks, and your hair. Barefoot at the playground last week, you complained for the first time ever that you were cold. Of course, it's winter and it was late in the day and I was already cold in my down coat. Your internal combustion engine keeps you hot and on the move.

Unless you feel like reading. Then you will lie down on your bed or the couch or the floor and devour book after book after book. Everything from storybooks to Spiderman comics: you absorb the details in the pictures and sound out new words. Once in a while you will read out loud to Zadie, but mostly you like to read the words to yourself. "In my head" as you say. And there is a lot going on inside that head! We come up with stories about our friends the dinosaurs, Heddy and Freddy, on the way to school. You imagine yourself as different animals, using magic to shape-shift. You change costumes and scenarios in the blink of an eye, keeping the separate worlds straight.

You have your first real friend. After you had a rough morning the other day, all you wanted to do was to "play with Everett." You wanted me to stick around, but it was being with him that really cheered you up. You two cut each other slack when the other one is feeling grabby or pushy. And when there's a boiling point, you both manage to make up within moments. Usually this involves some potty talk, but what's wrong a little crude humor between pals?

At home, you and Zadie retreat to the bathroom to say all the words that are only welcome in there. You two giggle and tell stories that only a child could enjoy. Then you run off saying "Zadie, let's go downstairs!" And she will follow. And the two of you will be down there for a long time building with blocks or putting on costumes. Just having some brother/sister time. The other day, for no reason I could see, you said "Zadie, I love you." And she said "I love you, too." You tell a "knock-knock" joke and she follows up with a "ding-dong" joke. She wants a Power Ranger costume just like you (and she's willing to settle for yellow because there isn't a pink one.)

You mastered a two-wheeler *and* a scooter, plus you lost your first tooth - thank goodness those events were not related! You want to learn how to ice skate and you just started drawing robots. You were nonchalant during your dental visit that entailed getting a cap on your tooth. You are proud of your "metal tooth." Every stick you find is in the shape of a gun. So is every piece of beef jerky you eat. Fruit is still your favorite food item, possibly tied with pasta. For your birthday you wanted pasta, broccoli, cooked carrots and garlic bread. And chocolate cake. You got it, kiddo. If you wanted the moon, we would have tried to give you that, too. We love you so much, Nolan. Every night, we peek in at you and Zadie, asleep in your beds. Dad and I still enjoy your antics and often talk about how special you are. How lucky Zadie is. How lucky we are. How lucky you are. We make a great match; we are a great family. Happy birthday, Nolan. Here's to many, many, many, many more!