my little man turns 5

The night/morning Ashton was born will forever be engraved in my memory. Nothing I expected to happen, happened. He was early. He was breech. He was born by c-section. I remember how we closed on our house while in my hospital room when he was less than 24 hours old. I remember being more afraid of breastfeeding than giving birth. But that was easier & more natural than I expected. I'll never forget that day, those tiny itty-bitty moments, that add up to equal me becoming a Mother, my life long dream had come true. Thanks to my little 7 lbs. 7 oz. sweetheart; Ashton J Dean.

So now Ashton, you're five. You're full of energy, curiosity, a incredible desire for learning and you have a very tender heart. You give the best hugs & kisses and you still like to cuddle with me. Sometimes your sister makes you angry, but mostly, you are a wonderful, loving big brother. You love to eat fruit & eat it everyday. You also like popcorn, popsicles, chicken salad sandwiches and pancakes. You love to play & build things with your hands. Like sand castles in the backyard or towers or spaceships made out of blocks. You have exceptional manners too! You always say 'excuse me' to speak to a grown up. You say please & thank you. You put your dishes in the sink after meals. You also like having some simple fun jobs around the house, like feeding the dog & cat, taking out the garbage & recycling, and even helping me cook. You have already started to read. You are great with numbers & counting as well as remembering letters and what sounds they make. I think your new Kindergarten teacher will be quite impressed by you. You are also gifted at making new friends. Anywhere & everywhere we go you seek out kids to play with. Doesn't matter their age, gender or race, you don't discriminate. You say to them, "Hi, I'm Ashton, what's your name?" and you become instant pals. I admire that quality in you tremendously!! Don't ever lose that, because it is a gift that many people admire. Ashton, you are sweet and you always want to make sure I'm happy or smiling. Someday I hope you learn that just having you near me makes me happy & it has since first moment I knew you were coming. One of the biggest compliments a person can give me is to tell me that you look just like me. You are so handsome! You are a million times more beautiful than I could ever hope to be. Sweetheart, I am so proud of you. You are a good boy. And everyone who will ever have the privilege of meeting you, will never forget you.

On your 5th birthday, Mommy woke you up with berry make-a-face pancakes and a birthday candle in your bedroom, singing Happy Birthday. You were groggy at first, but then you smiled the biggest smile when you saw the candle. You ate ever raspberry & strawberry but not much of the pancake. Then we went to Liberty Park and met Daddy for lunch. You ate a corn dog and root beer. Then Grandma Bobi, Aunt Heidi, Jasmine, Jessica, Caleb, Josh & Nathan joined us and you played on the playground. It was really hot - so soon we left to come back to our house for popsicles & water play. You all put on your swimsuits & played on the giant blow up slide. After they left & things quieted down, you fell asleep on the couch in your swimsuit - all the fun in the sun wore you out.
Once Daddy got home from work, we went over to your new school; Hayden Peak Elementary for the school carnival. You & Kadence played in the bounce houses and slides, even earned some silly prizes. You had a grin from ear to ear the entire time and worked up quite an appetite. When we asked you what you wanted for your birthday dinner, you said one word: PIZZA! So we left the carnival and went to The Pie Pizzeria for dinner. It's a fun pizza place where you can write on the brick walls so we took a black magic marker and wrote, "Happy 5th Birthday Ashton Dean 06/25/09" in at least five or six places around the restaurant. You had cheese pizza and fruit punch and wanted to walk around the restaurant barefoot! Next Friday, July 3rd we will have a GREAT BIG BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL with all of your friends & cousins. It will be a memorable birthday party, I have no doubt!

Ashton, I love you with all my heart and I know as each day goes by and you get bigger & bigger that love will only grow right along with you. I am so proud of you! Love, Mom