Time to wish my sweet Orson boy a happy 5th birthday…
Where did this year go? In fact, where did the last half decade go?! I’m sitting here, typing up a Happy 5th Birthday post… Feeling as though I just published DINO-FOUR in celebration of his fourth.
Honestly, my head’s kinda spinning. Thinking of how much growth, how many strides he’s made, even just in the past few months… My boy is amazing, impressive, sensitive, goofy, and wonderful. And I am grateful every day that I have the joy of being his lucky mama.
As busy as this season is—since I’ve got someone’s “Fab 5″ Mickey & Friends party to plan—I have to take a few minutes to brag on him and his achievements.
Starting with this one:
We’re Officially a Diaper-Free Home!
He’s been day-trained since one day after his 4th birthday, but as of one day before Thanksgiving 2025, he ditched the bedtime diapers and stays dry all night! Talk about having something for which to be thankful!
The trick with him was giving him something to work toward, a goal, and a timeline. We explained that if he felt ready to switch to underwear at night, he just needed to keep his diapers dry for ten nights in a row. If he could be consistent, we’d make the switch and take him out to celebrate wherever he wanted.
With his choice of Magnolia Pancake Haus in mind, he committed hard, and we got to honor him with a celebratory breakfast.
Which, coincidentally, is also where he’s choosing to go for his special birthday meal this weekend. He’s my little pancake man.
And, My, How He’s Grown!
This year, he has absolutely blossomed. Sure, he’s hit pivotal milestones. We’re super excited about it, but it feels like even just over the course of the past couple months, he’s had a massive leap.
He’s no longer afraid of most slides. That’s actually kind of huge for him. For the longest time, he’s been reluctant to try so many of them. No way you could get him down the tunnel slide at Morningside Park.
After so long of “That’s okay, bud. You’ll know when you’re ready”… Then, out of the blue, one day he’s just ready. And you can’t get him to leave the park for how many times he wants to go down the slide… And he’ll tell you what an achievement it is: “I was scared, but then I was brave today”.
This kid is making strides. He’s growing bolder and more courageous with every passing day. All while we’re getting to know him better, he’s getting to know himself better. Especially since starting his homeschool co-op Pre-K 4 program…
He’s made so many friends. His teacher pulls me aside at pick up to praise his self-advocacy at 4 years old. Orson knows when he needs to ask for his headphones. He can speak his needs and know that he’ll be supported. He’s so observant and loves to tell me everything about his school day.
He’s already reading some early readers on his own and is so enthusiastic about helping Nova learn… Even if it means blurting out all the answers because he already knows them. He’s sharp, I tell you. We’ve hit the “why?” stage, but he asks “why” questions with such specificity that you know the wheels are really turning…
I know, I know. I’m biased. But this boy is too awesome.
Happy 5th Birthday, Orson!
So much celebrating! I sent the boy to school with cupcakes on Thursday to celebrate with his classmates. Saturday morning, he’s getting his birthday pancakes at Magnolia, followed by a trip to Arrows Play Park. And yeah, it’s right across the street, we’ll likely get him some Darkside pizza while we’re in Boerne… Why not?
Sunday, he’s got his Fab 5 birthday party. Then, we head to Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Busy, busy, busy. I’m writing this Friday night, looking at his cute Mickey balloon garland. Made his cake twice after technical difficulties and recipe scaling. And I love how excited he is for his black cocoa mint Mickey cake.
I just want my Orson boy to feel so celebrated. Five years old feels like a big deal. A real milestone. He’s his own little person more and more everyday. More independent. More bold and self-assured. Spirited, but ever sweet and loving and sensitive.
I asked him on Thanksgiving what he was grateful for, and I kid you not, he said I was. This guy fills my heart with so much joy and gratitude, and I hope to live up to the measure of how he must see me… I am so lucky to be his Mama.
Happy, happy birthday, my sweet Orson Kurt.
Mama loves you so much. You are, forever and always, one of my most favorite people.