How did my firstborn get to be six years old!?

It’s been three months since his sixth birthday party, and I’m finally getting around to writing this post! How DID my firstborn get to be six years old?

You know, he still will march past random people and proudly announce: “I’m SIX!” It’s quite an achievement, and he is pleased as punch about it. I’m learned to be pretty pleased too – letting go of his babyhood came hard, but looking at his man-becoming is something else to behold entirely. And it’s pretty amazing.

Who is this little baby who grew up to be six?

At six, he’s got the profile of an older boy, clear blue eyes always looking to the future, face aglow with what will be. He studies the calendar to see what’s coming on the regular. This look of his in the photo above? Moms, is what we became mothers FOR! To see our children’s bright eyes alight with future dreams!

At six, he’s all angles and elbows. Legs grown past the hems of pants before I could blink and turn the calendar page. Hair that cowlicks unless I let it grow long and shaggy to weigh it down.

At six, he’s learned to read, almost as an afterthought. Oh yeah, Mom, I’m six, and yeah, I read now. Okay, no big.

At six, he no longer jumps in my bed in the morning to snuggle. More often, he’ll be pouring over his My Father’s Dragon trilogy on the couch. His absorption in books is lovable, and blesses me daily. For all his growing independence, he will be the first to rush to the door when I come back from somewhere, he loves to bring me flowers, chocolates, and coffee at random times.

At six, he’s a sensitive soul, curious but cautious. He’s so eager to learn, but needs a little encouraging. He’ll still slip his hand in mine at times. I hold my breath, because each time feels like a last time. But I am learning, there are really no lasts, just other. And the other, boy-wowza it is something great!

At six, I see him reaching for ideas and concepts just around the corner. Sometimes he gets it, sometimes not:

Trying to explain to the boys that our fish Swimmy died…
The boys decided they’d like to bury him outside…

Then he adds, “And we can dig him up in the spring and look at him!”
Little Brother: “Yeah! Like dinosaur bones!”

At six, he loves his Sunday school and learning Bible verses, and has lots of questions about God. Our prayers are for his growing awareness and understanding to blossom. It is the heart of our home ministry to our children, and we love seeing his growing relationship with God.

At six, he loves to “surprise” me by going downstairs to the kitchen and setting up the breakfast table. Making me coffee in the Keurig is his favorite thing to do!

He loves to play – oh how he loves play, indoors and outdoors – sometimes he doesn’t even realize we’re having school because he thinks it’s all play!.

At six, he takes out the trash with his dad, makes his bed, folds clothes, and knows how to organize. I’m not saying he does all these without reminders, but… such responsibility these days! I remember him struggling to find the armholes in his shirts, or toppling over trying to get a leg into his shorts. He loves to “mix-match” his clothes into crazy combinations, finding extremely minuscule matches of color between two items to justify his pairings.

At six, he loves to make up words, invent stories, sing goofy songs with his little brother, put on a “show” (pretending to be different animals until I “squish” them). He really loves dressing in character and acting, although he can get a little shy to be put on the spot. He loves his Tinker Box and creating silly “faces” with all the gizmos inside (see robot face above!)

At six, he’s figured out a few things. Like how doctors can tell a baby’s gender by looking at their face. Yes, that! I’m not ready to explain otherwise!

At breakfast, I asked him what he thought he was really good at:
He said: Thinking, because I know a lot of things. If we’re playing hide and seek I know where to hide!
Me: how does thinking work?
Him: you say, “hmmmm…” then something comes into your brain and you say, “AhHA! This is a good idea!”

At six, I get to have conversations with my boy. I mean, real, honest-to-goodness conversations that get me right in the gut sometimes, make me think, remind me to wonder, and encourage me to be my best me for my kids.

Me: so, I’ve never been a mommy to a six year old. How does this work?
Son1: Mommy! (Laughing) you just teach me the same stuff all over again!

Which led to his little brother asking…
Son2: what’s my number? (Age)
Me: you’re 3.
Son2: ohhhhh nooooo!!! That’s such a long number! I’ve been that for TEN WEEKS! ( for a 3 yo this kid knows angst! Lol)

At six, he has a terrific, yet subtle, sense of humor. He loves knock-knock jokes, making us laugh, guessing games, and being silly. And he’s quick with funny answers too!

Son2: what do you do at the Dollar Tree!?
Son1: you buy DOLLARS!

At six, he sleeps on the top bunk, likes to comb his wet hair in to funky shapes on top of his head, and loves being a big brother.

At six, he just showed me his first wiggly tooth. And that’s when it hit me:

He’s six. We’re stepping into all new territory here!

Follow me on Instagram – where I post more about mothering moments and the real conversations we’re having! Because these kids are getting a little too quick to keep up with on the blog!