Six

He is crazy competitive.  Everything is a race.  He loves winning.  But at soccer he cheers wildly whenever any of the team scores a goal and he loves playing defense.

He loves being recognized.  He was given a stewardship award for showing respect at school, and he just radiated with happiness.  Today they called him on stage to give him a birthday pencil and the whole school assembly sang happy birthday to him.  He was stoic on the risers, but he had been looking forward to it all month.

He has come so far this year in school.  Reading very well now and his drawing and writing is improved.  He is wonderful with other kids and respectful to his teachers.  He has gotten positive marks every single day this year.  Not one note home.  He is a great, great kid.

He also loves toilet humor, and rough housing.  And rockets and bombs and the army.  He fights with his brother but is also proud of him and adores his sister.  When we went to lunch today there was an empty seat at his table and he said to D: D you can sit there if you want to sit with us!  Please let his kindness and empathy for his brother continue for many years.

I offered the seat to D as well, but he shook his head.  And G says ... I think he wants to be with me mom. And he puts his arm around him.

If the one thing my staying home has done is make those two a unit it was the absolute level best thing I've done in my life.

I am intensely proud of him.  And I am grateful every day that all the years ago he came into this world.

He is an amazingly dynamic, enthusiastic, loyal, competitive, driven, ornery, stubborn, picky, regimented, brave, tough guy.

G on this ... your 6th birthday ... we wish you every happiness.  And we're so glad your ours.