Seven

My oldest turned 7 on August 23rd.  I can hardly believe it.  It's such a magical age I think, don't you? Seven is when they start to develop who they really are.  The skin that was just a little too tight sheds away and this beautiful, magnificent little person is there, just waiting to go out and discover what they're made of.  The child disappears - not completely - but too much for this mama to handle just yet.   I look at Aiden and see glimpses of who he is becoming, watch him grow in confidence and knowledge, honing the skills already there and discovering new ones along the way and I'm filled with peace.  He is an amazing person with such a big heart and playful soul and I'm so proud to be his mama.

I tried finding a picture of just him for this post and almost couldn't.  He's such a great big brother that lately any pictures of him are also of another brother or two he's loving on.  

He was so proud to be able to burp Ronan all by himself.  He really is a big help to me and I appreciate all the hard work he puts in (and love that he doesn't think it's work!).

Teaching Odin how to ride his scooter.  Aiden got a scooter for his birthday this year and asked me and Jake if we could get one for Odin since he really loved riding Aiden's.

At the skate park the day after his birthday party.

Looking forward to another wonderful year with you buddy! Love you!

A Five Year Old

Today, my little guy turned 5.  While I'm so excited for him it's also a little sad for me.  He's growing up so fast.  Four just doesn't seem that big, but five? Five sounds big.  Five is growing up.

I heard him get up and pad down the hallway this morning, his blankie and favorite stuffed puppy under his arms, hair all askew from sleep, a little smile on his face.  He came over for a snuggle, looked into my eyes and asked, "Am I five yet?"  I said yes and he patted my cheek, kissed me and said, "Thanks mom.  Thanks for letting me be five now."  Then his brother began singing Happy Birthday to him.  Talk about a heart-melter.

We celebrated his birthday the week before since Daddy was going to be gone this week for work so we had a quiet morning together getting ready for their date with Grampa and Baba (my husbands parents) which happens every Thursday while he's away.  It gives me a nice break to catch up on whatever - or lately, with baby making me more tired than usual, I can get a nice nap in.


I did however get to work on a few sewing projects this week.  I'll have pictures coming soon! I haven't made it to the sewing machine very much lately - it's getting hard to sit in front of it for very long! But I do have some things to finish up so I will have some show-and-tell still, at least until this little guy pops out.

And even though I apparently didn't take pictures of the birthday celebration, here's some recents of my little guy.

Realized I didn't have any birthday pictures of him, but here's a few recent ones.  Contemplating life in the toy cubbies.  I love this one! 

And this was just a few days before his birthday.  Mr. Cool on his way to Costco.  This was actually just a few short hours before he proudly did this by himself...

Cut his own hair.  As he said to me proudly, he used safety scissors so he was safe and did it over the trash can so there was no mess.  He also knew I needed to trim their hair and was trying to help out since I've been so tired lately.  Really, a sweet offer and sweet little boy.  I couldn't be upset.  And hair? It grows back.

Happy Birthday Aiden

So, today is my oldest boys sixth birthday.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  He's growing so fast! Really, I can't understand where the time has gone to.  It seems like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital.  I looked at him this morning with his first bottom front tooth already fallen out and new ones growing in and just could not believe how quickly the time has gone with him.  I hope the rest of it stays longer.  Although he did look at me and say, "Mom, I'm gonna live with you forever. I love you too much to leave.  Besides, you'll get lonely when dad's at work if I'm gone.  And don't we have fun together?"

He's the sweetest little boy.  Very literal and so exact with his own work.  Yet he's also so gentle and thoughtful with the biggest heart I've ever known.  I am so proud to be his mama!  I can't wait to see what the years ahead with him will bring.

Happy Birthday Aiden! I hope you have a truly wonderful day bud! I love you so much!

To Odin

This morning has me in a strange state of mind between happiness and confusion.  You see, last nite after putting two very tired little boys to bed, I finished some minor prep for our road trip starting this evening (yay for road trips!), cleaned up a little, and then climbed into bed early for a change.  I was tired, but had accomplished what I needed to and felt content as I drifted off to sleep.

Upon waking this morning, I realized the boys had not woken me and relished in the fact that I got to sleep in until 6:30.  It was heaven.  I got up and made coffee and sat down at the kitchen table and listened to the birds singing outside and the quiet all around me.  It was a peaceful way to greet the morning.  6:38 rolls around and I hear their quiet whispers to each other, giggles, then the creak of their door opening and the soft patter of their little feet coming down the hall.  Aiden called out a greeting and snuggled into the couch with a few (6 or 8) favorite stuffed friends.  Odin climbs onto the couch, smiles at me and says, "Hi Mommy."

I put down my coffee and went to sit with them.  "Do you know what today is?" I asked.

"Our trip!" Aiden yells in excitement.

"What else is today?" I ask.

"Swimming!" Odin calls out.

"Yes.  What else is today? It's special,"  I prompt.

"Daddy comes home!" Odin yells out.

"It's your Birthday Odin!" Aiden says in excitement.

We both look at him, his hands on his cheeks in surprise, his little body shaking in excitement.  Such a look of surprise and delight that only a child can give.  He reaches up for me, wraps his little arms around my neck and whispers, "Thank you Mommy! Thank you for letting me have a birthday!"

I tell him he's 4 now, and not 3 1/2 anymore.  He grins.  After patting my cheek and giving me a kiss, he climbs down from the couch and stands in front of us, hands on his hips, chest thrust out and says, "Look how much bigger I got today! Aiden I'm so big huh?"

Aiden stands in front of him and says, "Yeah, but you're still pretty small.  I'm always bigger than you cause I'm older."

Any other day, the little guy would have slugged him in the gut, but today, because it's his birthday and he's excited, he reached over and patted Aiden's arm.  "I might be bigger someday Aiden."  True story little man, true story.

So... that's why my emotions are warring today.  I'm happy for him.  I'm happy I've been blessed with 4 beautiful years with him, but I'm a little sad too.  My baby is growing up.  He's really not a baby at all anymore.  He's a wonderful little boy full of such strong emotions and feelings.  As fiercely loyal and loving as he is independent (and independent he is).  He has taught me so much in the short time since I first felt him moving in my belly.  I will cherish those memories of him, but also look forward to what the years ahead will bring.  I know they'll be wonderful.

To my little boy

who isn't so little anymore.

My explorer

Map reader

Gardener

lover of nature

whether cold

or warm

Friend to bugs and insects

animals that fly above us

and those that creep among us

Stealer of my coffee

and my heart

Loyal and devoted little brother

and an absolute ham.

I love you so much little big guy.

Happy Birthday.