The Animal Lover is 6

Our skinny little animal lover turned six and after waiting all day for his dad to get home from a business trip (flight was late) finally got to open his presents. He said he wanted animals for his birthday and he got his wish. Other than some much needed church clothes, everything was animals. An animal book, an animal puzzle, animal stickers, and animal figurines - so many animals.Here he is with all his animals. I was amazed as he opened presents and got more and more. Before his birthday he had a bucket half full of animals; it's full now.We didn't have time that night but we built a killer zoo the next day after school. Since then he has turned the front yard into the world and put each animal on their correct continent.

After a solid month of birthday cake in April, Andrew wisely chose cinnamon rolls rather than cake. Yum! The sour skittles on top were a little questionable.

Can you see the hole from his first lost tooth? It happened a few weeks ago and I just realized that I forgot to take any pictures. He realized it was barley loose in the morning and diligently wiggled and pulled all day insisting that it be pulled out that night. I figured it wouldn't be ready but he had worked hard and it popped right out.

Kate and I are going to miss Andrew next year when he goes to first grade. He is such a good little guy. Just today the mother of a classmate of his commented that Andrew is always willing to play with her daughter who is a little picked on sometimes.

He loves to learn. Whether it's about animals, the world, the states, or prophets, when he is interested in something he can be so focused and intense. His reading is coming along well and soon he'll be reading those animal books - not just pouring over the pictures.

When Andrew smiles at me I can't help but smile back - Happy Birthday Andrew!