Finally, A Birthday!

Already it has been a year since we traveled to China to meet and bring home our son. Last year I was sad that we were missing yet another birthday- our Travel Approval came just too late for us to have him by December 4th. So this year it was all the sweeter to celebrate with him. He had to wait so long, see his friends and cousins have birthdays, and ask over and over, "When MY birfday?" Finally this weekend it came. But I'll get to that in a moment.

He is a Kindergartner now. That first day required lots of bravery and I am so proud of how he has set his face and moved ahead through many challenges. His teacher says he has many friends. In fact, everyone clamors to be his partner on projects! In language he is gaining ground quickly. We are continually amazed at what he has learned.

Sine we've been home he has grown two inches. I'm a little surprised it isn't more given how well he eats! He prefers to take his lunch to school every day and he often checks it to make sure I've given him "many snacks".

Another first this fall was Halloween. Early on, as I explained the upcoming holiday, he said he wanted to dress as a cowboy. He never wavered on that though I asked every few days just to make sure I was acquiring the right pieces for his costume. On the Big Day he was so excited and pleased to be a cowboy. Baba even made him a lasso.

Last Thursday, December 4th, was his 6th birthday. I made his favorite, French Toast, for breakfast. We had dinner at McDonald's (a special treat!) and then opened a few presents at home. He's been asking for a Transformer and his face was pure delight when he opened Bumblebee.

The big festivities weren't over yet, though! Saturday morning we had breakfast with Santa, had a snowman painted on his face, and made a few crafts. 

 That evening, for the first time, Isaac listened to family and friends sing Happy Birthday and then blew out the candles on his cake. Be still my heart. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. 

I am not the kind of mom that makes homemade birthday cakes. That would have been a disaster. 

Isaac celebrated with his cousins Andrew (orange shirt) and Joshua (front) and with his special friend from China, Luke (top) and Luke's big brother Andrew (center).