Now You Are Six...

Dear Benjamin,

Yesterday you turned six. We were way too busy celebrating for me to write about it yesterday either. You are big into the party aspect of your birthday these days and next year, I might have to finally break down and let you invite some friends somewhere.

This year though, you were pretty content to be celebrated at your Nanee and Pap's, to spend the day with Mommy and Daddy in Washington, D.C., and to celebrate again with Grandmom, Poppy and Aunt Debbie. You now insist there be ample decorations, including signs, balloons and some kind of cool cake, so decorate we did yesterday.

Six brings with it the last couple months of Kindergarten, a place that you've grown to both like and dislike this past year for different reasons. You like your friends there, you don't like when that little brat boy Zane reminds you that you are the smallest one in the class or says you are a slow runner. You you like learning "new things that are hard", but don't like having to sit there for "all that easy stuff like 2+2=4". You like recess and gym, but don't like lunch ("because we just have to sit there and eat!!"). You like your teacher, but notsomuch the "uhhh eat" lady in the lunchroom. You like the bus when Sophia rides with you, but only tolerate it on the days she doesn't. All in all though, you are thriving at your school and in your class and it has been a joy to watch you start to understand and enjoy what school is all about.

Five was, in general, a wonderful age. This year, you have been (with some exceptions, of course), agreeable, pleasant, happy, fun, social and a great listener. The last month or two, you've just been the most happy go lucky kid ever, so hopefully, this bodes well for your entire seventh year. I only mention all this because it's such a far cry from the colicky, sensitive infant and the broody three-year-old you were. ;)

One of your favorite things these days is, get this, TRYING NEW FOOD. Daddy and I still can't believe our ears when we hear you say, "I want to try that!" and we REALLY can't get over it when you try something and then announce it's the best thing you've ever tasted. It has taken six years to get you to actually ENJOY eating and it's going to take awhile to get over the shock that you actually kinda do now.

You love sports and have been having the best time watching March Madness with daddy and you'll tell anyone who will listen about your bracket and how you are doing. You also love to play basketball NONstop lately (you made 100 baskets at Nanee and Pap's on Saturday!) and insist that you are going to play for Villa Nova someday because Loyola Maryland is "no good". You start teeball next week, with daddy
as the coach and you are super excited. :) Your friend John is on your team too!

You love your little brother, even if he is a little whiny sometimes and takes your stuff without asking. You are the best big brother to him, amazingly patient and willing to share, even when sometimes I really could hardly blame you for wanting to just turn around and knock him over.

You still love your facts and figures and your maps, flags and globes. You don't read stories at night much lately. Instead you read almanacs,maps and atlases. Yep, you are daddy's boy and your Graff uncles' nephew, that's for sure. You are very serious and I have no doubt you'll excel in whatever you put your mind to!

This past year, you have grown up so much. You even look like such an "older kid" now, it's hard to believe. Can't wait to see what the next year brings.

I love you! Happy birthday, buddy!

Love,
Mommy