Happy Birthday Griffin!

Happy Birthday Griffin. Today, you are five.

At five, you remain my independent spirit determined to conquer the world and keep up with anyone and everyone, including your big brothers. You wake up each day with an energetic exuberance that continues to mystify your mom and dad. You are our morning guy – singing and dancing from the moment your eyes pop open. You are full of energy - happy energy that makes it impossible for you not to dance your way through your day.

You aren’t five really, more like five going on ten years old. You have a vocabulary that rivals that of a third grader, are already reading books on your own, and have yet to lose a game of memory or tic tac toe to your mom. (And I tried to win. I really, really tried.) You have an easy confidence and like to be in charge. (I like to call you Large and In Charge. Like the time you convinced our new babysitter that she was supposed to sit on the floor by your bed until you fell asleep. And she believed you. Of course, she did. I would too.)

You are the big guy on campus at school. You know all the parents, all the kids and daddy often jokes that you are slapping high fives to anyone and everyone at drop off in the morning. Your teachers tell me often what a good heart you have and how kind you are to your classmates. I cried when your teacher told me about one of your friends, a boy, who had recently started dance classes. He was practicing in the hall, showing his tap dancing moves when the other boys started to make fun of him. You stood up for him and told the boys that you thought the dancing boy was doing a great job and looked cool. Your teacher told me she had never been prouder. I know I couldn’t be prouder of you and that loving heart of yours.

You are loud. Boy, are you loud. I think you fear that as the third boy there is a chance the world won’t hear you unless you shout, yell or scream at every opportunity. The world hears you. At full volume. And you are a talker. You never stop talking. You love to talk to anyone who wants to speak with you. You ask questions, you give answers, you love to keep the conversational ball rolling.

You are my sensitive soul. You take things to heart. You don't like shows or movies that depict people hurt or in danger. (You even refuse to watch Home Alone because it makes you cry.)

You love to sing and to dance. You make up routines that combine both to put on shows for your family. You are quite a performer and love to bust a move. I love the songs you make up that you sing either around the house or when I am putting you to bed.

You have the best giggle I have ever heard. I wish I could tape it and save the sound of your laughter forever. It is pure joy, wrapped up in a just little bit of mischief.

Your favorite foods continue to be fruit, veggies and yogurt. I have never known a child who shows more enthusiasm in the produce aisle than the candy aisle. You would choose a bag of carrots over a slice of pizza anyday. You even choose fruit as your end of the meal treat. (A choice that continues to baffle your brothers, even as your parents applaud you.)

Your favorite television shows are Arthur and Supah Ninjas. You will read anything and anything, but right now you can’t stop giggling over Santa Duck (Jingle Quack, Jingle Quack). You love to build forts with your brothers, snuggle with your mom and play tickle monster with your Dad.

You were the youngest swimmer on the swim team this summer, but still managed to get in your 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke (always stopping halfway down the pool to grin at your mom.) You also started soccer and spent more time chatting with the coaches than chasing the ball. You started tennis, but refused to do lessons when you figured out you could have your mom to yourself for an hour instead. You are excited to get back to your Sundays skiing with your Dad.

You are my tennis buddy. You love to come with me to my tennis matches and help me with the balls or watch me play. The odds are good that you are either going to be a professional tennis player or a professional ball boy someday because of all the hours you have spent on the tennis courts. I just have to get you to take those tennis lessons first.

You are a joy to our family. You love to give hugs and kisses. You are constantly telling me, your dad and your brothers that you love them. You are a happy, sensitive old soul that has made our family complete.

Happy Birthday to my baby. My last little boy. I love you more than words can say.