HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JARED!
I can't believe he's 5! Well, I suppose he isn't really 5 years old until 3:45 this afternoon, but that's just a technicality. FIVE YEARS OLD!
He was such a good baby. And so cute! I mean, look at that picture of him----> He really spoiled us, with being so good, and with understanding concepts beyond his age. Yes, he tried us at times, but this is supposed to be good stuff about him :)

We're so proud of him. He's so bright and inquisitive, and well-behaved most of the time. Dealing with Zach makes me grateful for Jared's usual cooperation!

I love talking to Jared. He soaks up everything like a sponge! And he's so inquisitive. Last night, he watched a PBS show, American Experience with me. It was about polio. So I explained to him what polio does to a person. Then he started asking questions. "What's a virus?" "What is paralyzed?" "What's an iron lung?" (I actually had to watch the show to find out what that was) "What's a vaccine?" "What does a virus look like?" Right then, Ryan came down with his laptop, so we googled viruses. Then we got into a little discussion about our body's immune system, antigens, and antibodies. And what viruses do to our cells. I promise you, he instigates all of this!
Then, when I'd finished explaining all of that, and we just turned to watch the tv again for a minute, he asked, "Sooooo, what else? What else are you going to tell me about?"

While being cautious about the possible nerd factor, I think it's awesome that he wants to go on Jeopardy. I think he'd do awesome (once he's had more time to learn stuff). He's bummed that Jeopardy for Kids online is for ages 10-13. Why do they neglect preschoolers???

And I think it's great that he still messes things up, because he's just a kid. Like when he calls Wheel of Fortune (it comes on after Jeopardy) "Fortune Spin the Wheel." And he thinks the Jeopardy theme song ends with "tip me over and pour me out." That cracks me up!
I also think it's great that he wants an Outer Space birthday party. I love that he loves making party decorations with me out of construction paper. I love that he kept asking, "Do I get one, too?" when we were buying party favors. He's fun, smart, creative, and underneath it all, he's just a regular kid.

And just to enhance my appreciation for him, Zach continued his foul streak from last night. He stood right in front of the tv and refused to let anyone else see it. When Jared tried to move him, he bit his arm. No blood, but he broke the skin a little, through his blanket pajamas. Happy birthday big brother, eh?