Dec is 5.5

[We are all just gonna pretend that I'm not so far behind that I may never catch up ... k? K.]

On the day that the youngest V celebrated his half birthday, he got to do what all school-age Vannestes have aspired to do. Declan was a ... car rider. Apparently this is like the mecca of school day departures. And no, Mike and I absolutely did not wait in that ridiculous pick up line to get him. He was invited over to a friend's house to play and have dinner - and K's mom picked them up. It was pure half birthday magic - only made better by the fact that the sisters were dripping with jealousy.

Half a year into five and half a year into Kindergarten, Dec is made for the life of a big boy. He loves school so much and has the best group of little friends. My favorite part is watching these friends spot him in random non-school places ... without fail, a little friend will spot him, stop in their tracks, turn around, and run over to hug him - usually while a parent is standing there confused at why their son is hugging some other kid. He's just so darn friendly and huggable - and I'm both thrilled and a little bit jealous. 

Big sister sang Happy Birthday
to him in his classroom

D's also learning that being a big kid is hard work. He's getting frustrated in hockey because Quinn is catching on so fast to everything. So we keep telling him how great he's doing and reminding him that it's just supposed to be fun. He loves it, but wants to play like the big kids already. He's also working so hard on his reading and practicing his sight words ... but those darn sisters just want to do it for him. He got accepted into the Reading Corps program at school and is loving it so much. We can see his interest in words and willingness to sound things out just skyrocket. 

He's starting to be less interested in cartoons (maybe Paw Patrol is finally almost done ...) and is getting into more live action shows like his sisters. Lately I've found them out in the living room on weekend mornings watching Pioneer Woman on the Food Network, which cracks me up. Maybe he'll eventually start sleeping in a little later on weekend mornings ... although I'm sure he won't want to miss any Pioneer Woman!

So that is the story of the baby transitioning to big kid. He is the perfect combination of big with a side of little who still wants to climb into my lap and snuggle. I'd try to freeze him at this age ... but the girls have proven that it only gets more fun the older they get. So bring it on, D man.