Zapatito blancos

Today you are Six

Dear Ben,

Today you are six! Intense, excitable, playful, serious six. You had a blast yesterday at your ninja-themed birthday party, and tonight at your family party. Here is what I love about you at six:

1) Your delight in the anticipation. For months, you have been getting ready for your birthday. Soon after Christmas, you were making your wish list for your birthday. And when you decided on a ninja theme, you quickly went to create a detailed drawing to include in the invitation. You can vision exactly what you want - which can be frustrating for you and for us family when we can't produce on the vision. Luckily grandma was able to make both your ninja costume and a cozy blanket all to your exact specifications, with some negotiation. You made your own countdown on a piece of paper to cross off the last nine days before your birthday. On the day of your birthday party you woke up at 5:30 am and could not go back to sleep. Excitement! And with all this delight in anticipation, it's impossible not to savor and treasure the moments with you.

2) Your intensity in contagious. As you were running in your ninja obstacle course, your friends couldn't help but join you in tackling the cardboard cobras and skeletons. And when you wake up with a smile, you can make everyone dance around you in the morning. If you wake up with a scowl, we all better watch out, because you'll do your best to make us know it by 6:30 am. But just as quickly, you can change from a scowl to delight, and you will be riding your bike to school singing a song that makes everyone we pass smile.  Come on, let's do this! You'll say, and we do, your parents, especially your brother, and your friends.

3) Your soft side still shows. Lately you've been begging for a "real animal" that you can cuddle at night. But for lack of a cat or dog, you've made up for it with many, many treasured animals, that you have a special relationship with each. The three "Bas", including your favorite, Doggy and Jaguar are the current most special ones, but they each have a place in your bed and on your shelf. A few days ago you told me that Ba was learning Spanish. "Wow!" I said, "What is she learning?" "The names of all the animals" you told me. Enough said!

Ben, you are a delight. You challenge me, you make me laugh, you can bring me to tears and frustration, and you can amaze me with your courage and insight. I love to watch you play, and to dance and act silly with you.

Today you are six! Amazing, insatiable, energetic, super-focused, silly six.

I love you, Mom

Picture of Isaac and Dante

Holding blackberry buckets