Owen is 5.

Yesterday Owen turned 5.

I can't believe he's been in our life for 5 years. He's so OLD now! It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was cuddling my sweet-smelling little chubby baby, who NEVER cried.... *sigh* he was a perfect baby. 

Now he a master of negotiation, lover of tackling and bugging his younger brother, has an insatiable appetite for learning and helping, and occasionally still needs a nap. 

Here are some other things about Owen:

1. 90 percentile for weight (50 pounds), 95 percentile for height (3' 9")

2. Can go all the way across monkey bars.

3. Can spell Bruno's name, my name, Alex's name, and a few short words

4. Loves to draw and paint... and is truly very talented for his age.

5. Does not memorize words to songs... instead memorizes the story or idea of the song and then retells it in his own words while singing some random tune.

6. Still loves to cook (since he was about 1.5).

7. Plays a mean game of Uno. The kid can beat me, even when I'm trying to win!

8. Is not afraid LOVES to speak his mind.  

9. Talks almost incessantly.

10. Still loves to be cuddled once in a while.

11. Wants to be exactly like his Papa (Bruno). :)

12. Thinks Alex is so cute sometimes he squeezes him a little too hard. In fact, I have heard him look at cute pictures of his baby cousins and declare that he wishes he could just squeeze them really hard. haha... I think he gets that urge from me.  

13. Has a ridiculous amount of energy that often gets translated into a short temper or angry outbursts. We are thinking upcoming karate and soccer lessons will help with that.

14. Does NOT give me kisses unless I beg him too. Apparently he's "a big boy and big boys don't do that." :)

15. Is kinda sentimental and has a good memory of family get-togethers. Lately he's been reminding me of parties or times we spent with family when we lived in Utah. 

16. Loves to be the boss.

17. Enjoys reading the scriptures and saying prayers and reminds us almost every night.

18. Knows Heavenly Father is real. His prayers are so honest and thoughtful, I'm humbled every time I hear one.

19. Can make friends with almost anyone.

20. Prefers to be outside playing. And he actually uses the word 'prefer' all the time now!