One, Two ... SIX

As we led up to the the big birthday last week, we looked back at a couple of our favorite videos of Almost Two Declan. We wanted to see 2yo D sing Happy Birthday to himself ... but we also found a gem of him counting "one, two, six ... SIX." And you guys, that's exactly how it happened. He's so suddenly - and loudly - six!

It's crazy to think that our baby is six. Six feels SO BIG! But it is amazing to see what a kid he is becoming. Dec is growing more independent and responsible. He is helpful around the house, especially when it comes to cooking. He mostly wants to be a big kid - until we want him to do something he doesn't want to. Then he'll happy play that Baby card to see if one of us will snuggle him ... and do it for him. It still works on occasion, but the girls and I are getting better at making him do it.

Kindergarten was amazing for him. He was developing such a sense of bravery and confidence. When we watch him play with the neighbor kids now, he is easily just one of the gang - whereas last summer, he was still working hard to keep up! Dec is never happier than when he is with his boys. He has the sweetest little group of buddies and is a really great friend. Life at home has been hard on D. He misses his boys, he misses being wild, and he's tired of playing family, babies, and barbies. It was clear when he saw his friends at his birthday parade that he both misses them so very much and has completely forgotten how to interact with them. We are confident he will quickly readjust to social interactions!

Declan really enjoyed hockey this winter and has turned into quite the sporty guy! He loves soccer right now and is disappointed that soccer and summer hockey seasons collided - leaving no room for baseball. So baseball in the back yard continues, along with pick-up soccer games, driveway hockey, and some lacrosse thrown in for good measure.

Some things remain constant year after year. He still gets up at the crack of dawn and I usually find him snuggled in a blanket on the couch as soon as he is allowed to leave his room at 7am. From morning to bedtime, he sings and talks constantly. There is always a story to be told - or a song stuck in his head! Fruit remains his very favorite food, but steak is moving up the list. We are also slowly finding a few vegetables that he will eat. Raw cucumbers and cooked bell peppers and onions are new options. He's quite intrigued by the spaghetti squash growing in our garden.

D and I headed to his well check (in masks) on Monday morning. He's 44.5inches tall (32%) and weighs 39.9 pounds (15%). His height percentile is exactly the same as last year, but he's doubled his weight percentile. Overall, he's super healthy and growing just as Dr. H would hope!

To officially mark the entry into Six, here are his answers to the annual birthday questions:

   Favorite color: Red

   Favorite friend: Jonah

   Favorite show: PAW Patrol

   Favorite book: any dinosaur book

   Favorite movie: Mulan

   Favorite song: Man Out of You (from Mulan)
   Favorite food: Corn dogs

   Favorite thing to do: Build Legos

   Be when you grow up: Hockey player