About a Five Year Old Boy

 To our precious Kendry Dru:

You have been counting down to this day for months, so you would think Mommy and Daddy would be more prepared for this, your 5^th birthday. 

I must confess that as your Mommy, I still see the little boy inside – the way you still cuddle with your lovey bear when you sleep, the way you still get frustrated with buttons or snaps when you dress yourself. But with each day we see more young man characteristics emerging – when you cheerfully help clean the house or you talk gently to a crying little brother. 

Your career as a 4 year old has been a memorable one. Your big accomplishments this year include learning to ride your bike without training wheels, running your very first 5k, getting four more stitches in the head, taking your first ride on a motorcycle, and learning to read.

Two days after your 4^th birthday you excitedly welcomed Jack and Cohen, and immediately found your stride as a proud and doting big brother.

Sure, you play a little rough with the babies from time to time, and despite being told countless times not to, you still pester by poking their cheeks when you think we’re not looking. But the way your little brothers’ faces light up when you enter the room says it all: they adore their big brother.

Like a true firstborn, you police your younger siblings, notifying us of misbehavior (“Jack got the remotes again, Mom!”) or regulating injustices (“Cohen, its not nice to take your brother’s binky.”)  Those two little mischief-makers don’t get away with much on your watch, which makes Mommy and Daddy’s job a little easier.

I’m not sure what I would have done without your help this last year. You are Mommy’s right-hand man when it comes fetching diapers, taking items out of a baby’s reach, and entertaining one baby while Mommy is busy with the other. When I ponder all the time you’ve spent waiting patiently for me to finish feeding the babies, changing the babies, and loading the babies into the car, it makes me so proud I could cry. You are such a trooper, bud!

Your imagination, mile-a-minute conversation and endless energy continue to keep us on our toes. An average day for you includes several costume changes (from football player to ninja to cowboy to FBI agent) and at least three games of Uno.

This year you were Mr. Incredible. A lot.

You've hit another growth spurt and are now wearing 5-6 tops and 6 bottoms. We let you wear your size 5 bottoms a little too long this year and you now think that highwaters are the norm. We’re having a hard time convincing you that the size 6 jeans that actually cover your ankles are, in fact, not too long for you.

You are now into a size 13 / 1 shoe. As velcro shoes are getting harder and harder to find in your size, our new mission is to teach you to tie your own shoes…stat!

You still believe in Santa.

You think the lighted cross displayed on the hill every Easter is the cross, and that Jesus repeatedly dies on it every year.

You came up with “Cohings” as your own personal nickname for Cohen.

You are so excited to attend kindergarten, even if Mommy isn’t quite ready for you to go.

You have a deep love for flowers and ask to buy a bouquet every time we shop at Costco. Now that its spring we have to specify which flowers you are permitted to pick and which you are not - otherwise our yard would have no blooms.

You are our sunshine, bud. 

Never lose that sparkle in your eye or your enthusiasm for the little things, for those 'little things' (like finding a beautiful flower) are often reflections of God's incredible love for you.

Choose positive talk over negative, remembering that everything you say should be good and helpful.

Look after your little brothers. They will annoy you, wreck your block buildings and rip up your artwork, but they love you and they are watching how you behave.

Always be kind. Always.

We love you, 5 year old. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, Jack and Cohen