Joel is Six

Joel had a birthday a few weeks ago.  He enjoyed three different events to celebrate his turning another year older.  The first was on his actual birthday.  His godparents, Peggy and Floyd, joined us for Joel's favorite dinner--spaghetti and meatballs (made by his big sister, Grace).  Grace also made homemade French baguettes out of this book.  It was really good bread, "dangerously good," as Peggy put it.  Joel thought it was good, too.

The next night, we celebrated again with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Dianne as we honored all the family members with February birthdays.  The next weekend, we had Grandpa Tom, Grandma Jane, Auntie Em and cousin Raphaella here for another spaghetti and meatball dinner.  We were able to celebrate Grandma Jane's birthday, too.

Joel is still our little cowboy.  He was delighted to have received a new (toy) gun, a new cowboy shirt and a book about cowboys for his birthday.  It's a rare day when he isn't found wearing his mustache and cowboy hat.

Our boy has a bit of a stubborn streak in him, which can be trying for his parents.  He's recently discovered a new talent--whistling.  The family endured weeks of tuneless whistling until this past week, when Joel figured out how to whistle Johnny Horton's Sink the Bismarck.  

He also makes some of the most profound theological statements of anyone at the table during our dinner time discussions.  He's pretty sure he's too big for Momma kisses, but the the corners of his mouth always turn slightly northward when he gets one planted on his cheek.