Graham is 5!

Dear Graham,

Today you are 5 years old!!  Happy birthday to my dear, sweet, first-born babe.  5 years ago, I was still pregnant with you.  I will never forget all those nights, I sat in the glider in your nursery singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to you while you were still in my belly.  I just couldn’t wait to be a mom.  It has been so wonderful.  When I think back on the last 5 years, so much has happened.  We have so many memories and there has been so much love.  I love our little family, and it all really started with you.

Some of my favorite memories with you go back to when we were in South Africa.  It was just me and you, paling around all day, then Daddy would join us in the evenings and weekends.  We went on so many adventures as a new little family.  Now that you’re older, I have to share you with so many.  You’re in school for a few hours a day and you’ll be off to Kindergarten in the Fall.  Even though that can be bittersweet, I wouldn’t go back if I could.  I love knowing the little person you are and seeing how much you have grown.  I love how our relationship has grown and developed, and even though sharing is hard, I love seeing the relationships you have with others. 

You are still so smart and studious.  You love to read and write.  This skill has been emerging for the past year, but now I can actually say, you can read!  You know all of your Kindergarten sight words and then some.  You can read many books by yourself, or you may only need help with a few words.  It’s incredible.  We haven’t really taught you.  It has been all self-driven.  You have always had a love for books, so we read with you a lot and, wow, I guess you have really been taking it all in!  

In addition, to reading, you love spelling.  You often spell words with magnetic letters, or foam letters in the tub, or just with a crayon and paper.  You love completing your wipe-clean activity books.  Because you love these types of activities so much, you are thriving in school.

As for other things you love, the computer is up there, along with other electronics.  You love to play Angry Birds on my tablet.  We do limit your time on these types of devices as you get a bit hyper.

You still enjoy Blue’s Clues and you are very into Disney movies lately.  Some of your favorites are: Toy Story, Tangled, Peter Pan, and The Princess and the Frog.  You don’t have Cars yet, but you love a Disney’s Cars special on Netflix, so I think you would really love that one.  I asked you if you wanted to buy the movie out of your piggy bank and you said, “Yes.”  So, we will do that after your birthday.

You love to sing.  Your favorite song is still “Under a Shady Tree” by Laurie Berkner.  Recently, you have started requesting songs you hear on the radio.  You’ll say, “Play the diamonds song,” or “Play the trouble song,” referring to “Diamonds” by Rihanna and “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift.  You also love to dance.  Sometimes, I think your favorite part of watching movies is the dance party we have during credits, “Mama dance! Mama dance!”  Whoever is around joins in, even Daddy!

You love to ride your bike outside, so we look forward to Spring for that.  You have become a lot more open to new experiences.  Before Christmas, you went ice skating for the first time.  You really want to go again!.  

You like to bowl and that is what we are doing for your 5^th birthday celebration this weekend.  You have your “first chore” now.  You always put the silverware away.  Daddy leaves the basket on the counter for you and when you see it, you put it all away without being asked.  You know where everything goes, from regular flatware to spatulas to measuring spoons.

Your relationship with Macy is very precious.  She just adores you and loves when you pay attention to her.  She loves when you guys give hugs each other and kisses.  Sometimes, she even demands a bit of attention by plopping down on your lap, or climbing on you when you’re on the floor reading your books.

I think Daddy’s favorite time with you is after dinner.  That's when you guys wrestle around on the floor.  You love to be tickled.  You will either ask to be tickled, or you know will tease Daddy and run away from him so he will “get you.” Before Daddy tickles you, he always asks you how many tickles you want.  Sometimes, you will answer 5 (or even 0) and other times you will answer 100.  That’s a lot of tickles!

My favorite time with you is talking to you before you go to sleep.  Every night before bed, you listen to a stuffed bear read “The Night Before Christmas.”  Daddy tucks you in and kisses you good night, while I do the same for Macy, and he turns it on for you.  After it finishes, I come in and lay in bed with you and we talk about our day.  You’re so calm and relaxed.  We have our best conversations.  I treasure it.  Just last night we were talking all about your birthday.  We talked about how old you are going to be and why we celebrate your birthday.  I told you it’s because you are so special and we want to celebrate that you are ours.  I asked you what you wanted for your birthday and you told me you wanted us to sing, “Happy birthday” and you want candles, balloons (specifically red, white, black, grey, blue, green, yellow, and orange), cake, and stickers.  Then you said you wanted treats: fruit snacks, chips, and skittles.  No problem baby, we will do all of this!

Happy, happy birthday, Graham!  You are the sweetest boy and you are going to do great things in life, you already do!  We love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mommy