Celebrating Age Five

I can't believe Owen turned five in December.  I brought cupcakes to his school and ate lunch with his kindergarten.  Christmas music played in the background as I sat at the little table with his 8 other classmates - yes, only 8.  I noticed the current Unit of Inquiry focused on poinsettias and a little Christmas tree lit the window.  I wondered to the teacher why Fairfax County removes all religious holidays rather than teaching about them all.  (Earlier in the month, Owen brought his dradle home and taught us the requisite song.)

We unwrapped presents at home,

and enjoyed incredible cake via Smitten Kitchen. (One recipe made enough cupcakes for his class, his small birthday party, and a cake for our family celebration.)

On Saturday, Owen invited two friends to swim at Rebstockbad, an indoor water park-like complex with a wave pool and water slides.  The schimmbads in Germany cannot compare to South Run or other counterparts in the States.  They resemble Massanutten at a fraction of the cost - $10 for all five of us.   Emily skipped the pool for her friend Katie's birthday party - leaving a better adult to kid ratio.  We swam for a few hours ("Are we done yet?" I kept thinking) and returned home for cake and ice cream. With packed December weekends, I originally argued to wait until January.  Sitting here on New Year's Day, I am glad Dave won the "discussion."