Dear Colin,
I know I am supposed to say “I can’t believe you are five!” and in many ways I can’t. It has been a complete time warp. Your newly born days took all of a blink, babyhood flew by and the random acts of destruction of a toddler are (mostly) behind us. Now you, our Bumble Boy, are on the verge of schoolyard charm.
But rather than being caught up in missing the baby (and oh, my heart, what a sweet baby you were), I have fallen for the charms of a boy who is all boy, from your jam-smeared mouth to your scraped up knees.
I am so excited to have a five year old! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this day to arrive. I loved you with all my heart the minute you were born, but I think I am more comfortable and confident as a mom when you can interact with me. You are such good company these days. You actively participate in our conversations. You’re a good helper when we go to the store or have projects to work on. You have great manners. You are kind hearted. We love to have picnic night and watch a movie and eat pizza on the floor. The more active you can be, the better. Otherwise all that energy of yours starts to turn rascally. I wish I could bottle up your energy and use it for myself!
You started pre-school this year. We were really sad to leave Donna, who you have been with since you were four months old. But it was time to get you into a more social setting. You love school! You are so excited to go every morning, and you actually get mad when we come to pick you up. You are making lots of friends.
At school, you are learning to navigate a world of many kids in one place. Which is so exciting and I think a little overwhelming for you. We’re working on teaching you to use your words when you want to interact with your friends, and not your hands. You are called Huggy Bear for a reason! We’re trying to teach you not to get into other people’s spaces without trampling on your spirited outlook on the world. You aren’t mean or hurtful, you are just so happy and eager to be around your friends. You’ve been this way since you were a baby, so we aren’t surprised that this is a learning area for you. You are very motivated by earning things though, so we’re working on positive motivation.
You are as much of a charmer as you have always been. You like to try to talk us out of maybe and into yes. The things that come out of your mouth are beyond funny - you have an almost dry sense of humor at times, and other times you love nothing better than a big belly laugh at a silly knock knock joke. We have to watch your story-telling, since you will try to talk your way out of anything, even when you’re caught red-handed. And you do it with the sweetest smile on your face too!
You have a great imagination when building things with blocks. You like puzzles too. You are a big car/truck/train/plane kid. You and daddy are starting to build models together, which is fun to watch.
You are still a big cuddler. You have the best, big squeeze hugs that can turn around a bad day in no time at all. Above all, Colin, you are delightful. We love you twice as much yesterday, and not half as much as tomorrow. And today, at five, you are our joy.
We love you!
Mommy and Daddy
