Five! (and two months...)

Just like fire, burnin' up the way

if I could light the world up for just one day

watch this madness, colorful charade.

No one can be Just Like Me, anyway! 

- Pink

Dear Lil Lobster Roll,

 Five. A whole hand. Five going on sixteen it seems sometimes. You are becoming an amazing little lady right before our eyes. You've been working your way through your final pre-k school year at the head of your class, and I'm not just talking academically. Apparently you're the best helper at cleaning up, even when the mess isn't yours, you stand up for other kids getting picked on, and you are a natural leader in all things play and fashion. You really do embody all of the qualities I strive to have, and i am so incredibly proud of you.

You keep your intelligence on the down low, not because you lack confidence, but because it doesn't seem to matter to you. Your priorities are more with just making sure everyone is happy, and then you'll randomly pipe up with some little known fact you learned a year ago, add some random numbers, or belt out a song you've heard once word for word. One of your favorite hobbies is following us around asking how to spell things and listing them in your little notebook, getting to the point where you're starting to sound them out yourself.

Every single day you come home from school with no less than three cards you've made with "mommy, daddy, gobbles, baby" listed on the front and a family picture drawn inside, where we're holding flowers or lollipops and smiling broadly. Your family is your number one priority and you show us every day how we mean the world to you (and vice versa of course). You're like Poppy from your current favorite movie Trolls- relying on hugs and positivity to fix anything. Whenever I greet Daddy with a hug and a kiss you jump up, announce "group hug!" and grab your brother and all come into the fold. I love it, the affection and the warmth, I hope it never changes.

Besides Trolls, other current favorites are Elena of Avalor, Phineas and Ferb, and just about any random girlie cartoon you can find on Netflix. All you talk about planning-wise is when we can go back on the Disney Cruise ship, 3 days of an 8 day Thanksgiving trip we took back in November that you and your brother have not stopped talking about. Daddy and I love that you've been bit by the travel bug like we have, and when you get older we promise to expand your horizons beyond the big Mouse.

As far as extra curriculars, I feel I've loaded you up for your last year before you start full day Kindergarten and we lose our Mommy-Lobster Fridays. You did soccer in the fall where you of course ran circles around the boys, have been doing dance since September with your bff K, started gymnastics in January as the youngest in the class but had no problem catching up, and pretty soon tball season starts. The only girl on the team but I know you're gonna kick butt anyway.

You have done a lot of growing in the last year, partly due to things beyond your control. When we lost Spoons in September I feel like you took it the worst, still crying out how much you miss her whenever you are tired or upset in some way. But then you always turn it around and discuss her during happy times too- talking about what she's doing in Heaven right now and having faith that she is still with us. Beneath your tough girl exterior you do have an extremely sensitive side that usually comes out when your overtired, that's when we just really watch out because any wrong word can set you off and we get a little preview of our teenage munchkin. It's ok though, your emotions are yours and you're still learning to handle the explosion that happens when you bottle them up.

Well munch, five is going to bring about huge changes for you- a new brother or sister, heading off to the big school with your brother, and a little less one on one time with me that we've enjoyed the last two years. I know I'm going to miss it because I love spending time with you, but I know you are going to do great as a big sister and a big kindergartener. I am so proud of the amazing, kind, smart, beautiful little lady you have become inside and out and can't wait to continue sharing in your love of life and family.

Love,
Mommy

To the Big Elementary School Guy

This was written last week during one of my insomnia nights worrying about my

Dear Gobbles,

We are less than a week before first grade begins and I'm alternating between excitement and tears at the thought of you growing up and hitting the school on your own. Kindergarten was a nice transition in that I didn't see your teacher every day anyway since you took the van, but I still got my Friday face time with her just to see how you were. But this will be so much different, this is the big time.

Your kindergarten graduation was so emotional for me, I think because we've spent 6 years with some of these families, our village, and we've all helped each other through crazy times. I'm lucky that some will stick around at least through your sister leaving pre-k with the siblings, but at the same time so sad that the relationships will change from daily interactions.

You, however, rocked your Kindergarten year and the graduation. You learned to read and went beyond in math. You stuck tight with your buddies but even branched out to some new friends, and came out of school with a confidence that only 5th year seniors have. You've done your summer reading, but for that pesky paragraph you have to write, probably more mommy's procrastination than yours. Even your reading comprehension is coming along- we're halfway through the 2nd Harry Potter book and each time we pick it back up you are able to recall the pertinent details of the previous chapter. You also try to make predictions on what's going to happen and explain why. Since we know the spoilers Daddy and I just let you go with your theories until they're revealed in the reading.

This summer I've seen your transition from a little boy into a big boy. You help out with your chores (although sometimes begrudgingly), you fly across the monkey bars with the ease of a ninja, and you have free reign at the pool to swim, dive, tread, do anything you want and I am confident that you are totally fine. You keep reminding you that one time I mentioned you should get an allowance when you start first grade.  You've started watching Big Brother with me and actually pay attention to what is going on and who is "on the block" (I'm so sorry for dragging you into the dark side of reality t.v.). And speaking of the dark side, you're not phased by and of the horrors in and Star Wars, actually cheer when Kylo Ren kills Han Solo (should I be worried?), and for the 2nd Halloween in a row want to be a bad guy with a lightsaber.

Last weekend, we were at the beach, and the third and final day the water was particularly calm yer frigid. After I declared myself spent in the water (it literally took my breath away it was so cold), you said, "that's fine mom, I can float by myself". And you took your boogie board and did just that. I sat in my chair about a hundred yards from the waters edge and watched, half proud, half petrified. Not soon after, you were joined by a girl who introduced herself the day before (9 years old!) and spend the morning riding waves with her. When I finally came to get you out of the water there was another little boy who you'd made friends with too chatting you up the whole way up the beach. We got home that night and Daddy asked how the beach was (he'd been home with the dogs), and your sister in a sing-songy voice started talking about your girrrrlllfriend. I've never see you so embarrassed. It seems that was a little tidbit you wanted to keep to yourself. I can't believe you are already at an age that you don't want to tell us everything!

Well buddy, you're starting a new phase in your life, and at times it may not be as easy as school has been. I'm not concerned at all about you academically, I know you'll do great if you just keep working hard and not rush through everything- you're very smart, but you have to pay attention to what you're doing. The friendships you've had for so many years may change, and the way you interact with each other in a real school environment will be different. It's the big time now, and you're back to being one of the little guys. Just be confident in yourself and don't take to heart what anyone says. I know I know easier said than done.

I'm so proud of you, I'm a little anxious for you, I'm sad that you're growing up, I'm eager for you to learn, and most of all I'm excited for your new adventure! I love you so much Gobbles!

Love,
Mom

P.S.  Well we survived our first day yesterday, and I have to admit, although you've been in school for 6 years now, I spent more time wondering what you were up to yesterday than I did the whole time you were at daycare.  I don't know why, because you did incredibly.  You had your boys with you and you branched out and introduced yourself.  You inserted yourself into a conversation to defend someone, and you loved music class and recess.  I can't wait to go to back to school night and find out what everything is all about.  Thanks for being a good kid, buddy!

FOUR!

Dear Little Lobster Roll,

Wow.  I never imagined you at four. I guess I just thought you'd be my little baby girl forever.  You are so grown up and such a character that I have a hard time keeping up.  First, I can never promise you anything because you have the memory of an elephant.  You will bring up something I said in passing months before and hold me to it, or even more so you will point out some way a friend at school wronged you "yesterday" (last year) and use it as an excuse for a way you acted today.  Song lyrics, books, tv shows, you can recount back to me the plot after just one time.

You say you're going to be an engineer (because you want to come to work with ME all the time), but I don't think so.  You will likely be one of four things.  First, an attorney, a trial lawyer to be exact.  Because you argue up and down and use big words like "ridiculous" and have that crazy photographic memory.  Second, I can also see you in sales / marketing of some sort.  You are the opposite of shy and have a habit of sidling up to any adult you see and telling them your deepest darkest secrets, getting them to trust you. And you are an amazing liar.  I have to drag it out of you 3 or 4 times before I get the truth because your cover story and deadpan face is just that good.  So that trait could contribute to either of those potential careers.

There is a whole other side of you though, that leads me to think you could be a nurse/doctor/veterinarian or an actress.  You have such a caring way about you when you attend to your puppies, your dolls, and the affection you show to me (well lets face it everyone) is nothing but love.  You exude personality and are always coming up with something crazy that you just love and are so passionate about that you want to implement it into every aspect of your life- your artwork, pretend play, and stories.  Currently, Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony Equestria Girls, Paw Patrol, Barbies, and of course the Disney Princesses (namely Jasmine) take the lead in all of your fun.  Let's not forget JEM, of course, whom after you themed your birthday party.  Though hesitant at first, you loved getting up and singing on the stage and totally got into the songs you knew well.  Every morning when there's a spare minute before school you and your brother are in the living room pounding away on the piano or fighting over the harmonica or karaoke machine.

Just this week you moved up to the Pre-K room at school, your very last transition ever, and I can barely contain myself.  Less than a year and a half and you'll be in kindergarten!  Having gotten stellar marks on your preschool progress report (including helping others and inclusiveness, which I LOVE to see), you were finally a bit challenged in your first day.  Even socially, it took some adjusting as you hovered around the classroom "queen bees" and decided you have your bff but the others you don't have time for because they say mean things to others like "stupid".  I'm proud of you for standing up to them and not allowing yourself to be intimidated, even being the youngest in the class.

We had your birthday party a week late because I was away for work on your real birthday weekend, but it was worth the wait.  You wanted a JEM themed party with singing and dancing on stage so we had it at a local performing arts company.  It was a bit awkward at first, as karaoke always is, but you and your friends got really into it and it was amazing and hilarious to watch.  You have such a spunky personality and a passion when you sing (even if you are a bit tone deaf just like me) that it entertains and enthuses everyone around.  All of your friends and their parents talked about your party with smiles on their faces, a great time had by all.  And when you're older and you're at a karaoke bar at 1:30 in the morning, with half of your friends wanting to leave for pizza, some wanting to keep singing, and a handful falling asleep, you'll understand just why you guys were so entertaining.  We love it!

Finally, my mommy guilt got to me for being away for your birthday and I made you a big promise which I delivered on just this past weekend.  We got your ears pierced.  You spend the entire week leading up to it talking to everyone about how excited you were and when Friday finally came you were ready.  You went to dance class even though you asked if we could skip it because you were so eager to get your ears done.  After dance you rushed me out, nervously talking about how if it would hurt that's ok because it's just a pinch.  When we got to the kiosk in the mall you spend a long time selecting the perfect pair of earrings to remain in your ears for 6-8 weeks.  I tried to guide you to some simple studs but you finally came to rest on a pair of gold princess crowns that had just enough sparkle in them.  We selected two other pairs to have after you could change them and gave everything to the lady to ring up.  You climbed up into the chair, excited but anxious and looked at the bowl of lollipops on the counter, reaching for one like you owned the joint.  When the ladies told you to go ahead you popped it in your mouth and didn't notice them approach with the guns.  They marked your ears with the markers and you proclaimed it didn't hurt at all.  We laughed and got right to the piercing.  For about 15 seconds you said "owie owiee owieeeee" then asked for the pretzel I promised you.  I proclaimed how beautiful you looked and told you about how brave you were since I'd cried when I got mine done when I was 5, and you included that little tidbit forever after in your response to people asking if it hurt when you got them done.  I love it how you were so proud that you didn't cry, my toughie.

Well munch, I think I've covered it all.  You are a big girl now, 4 years old.  Maybe you'll stop sucking your thumb like you've been promising for a year now? It's ok if you don't though, you know I'll always love you no matter what.  And I know, that no matter what you say to me during your little moments of angst (which I can't believe happen at this age already!), I'll just keep replaying your sweet little voice in my head I'm thankful for my family! I have the best family ever.  Best Mommy ever, best Daddy ever, best brother EVER.  Don't forget, YOU are the best too Lobster.  We love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,
Mommy

My favorite meal - mussels!

I get into the part when I play sleeping beauty

Creativity center... making markers!

Getting Blessings and God from my best girl!

Loving nights in with mommy and my brother. 

Yes.  That cake is made of krimpets and chocolate cupcakes. Gee, thanks mom. 

I LOVE jewelry making!

My Jasmine outfit is the BEST

What I chose to wear to school on the day we celebrated my birthday

My Aunt is the BEST for taking me all day on my birthday!

I love being at grandmom's too!

And i'm really not to shabby of an artist either... Powerpuff girls!

So excited for my JEM party

JEM is outrageous!

I'm really into it.

Happy Birthday to ME!

All my pals

These speak for themselves.  I may have started off timid, but I rocked it ;) 

Oddly enough, this turned out to be my favorite present, even though I have like 5,000 tents...

Dressing my girl up!

I love coming to mommy's work because I get my nails did...

And i run the machines...

And i make important crafts!

This one is BEAUTIFUL!

and I AM BEAUTIFUL, don't you think?!

Pretty princess crowns are just perfect for me...

6 YEARS!

I started writing this entry a few weeks ago.  I wasn't too wrapped up in the emotion of my boy getting older because I was so wrapped up in other issues as I last posted.  But now that I'm finally giving this a title and all I'm starting to well up.  I remember writing his 6 month letter and it seems like yesterday.  And now we're 1/3 of the way to 18.  PLEASE slow down, time.

Dear Gobbles,

Your 6th birthday came this year amid a flutter of chaos in our house but still you handled it with the grace and maturity of a much older kid.   As always, I am incredibly thankful for that.  Buddy, you seem so grown up right now, only in kindergarten but already my little helper with chores and your sister and just an all around good guy.  When we get home from school you hop out and get the mail, let the dogs out, bring them back in and wipe their paws, feed them, and start your homework.  Sure, you put up a bit of a fight with the homework but I get it, you don't get home til after 6 and you're hungry and tire and it's the last thing you want to do when there's tv to watch and you just want to unwind.  But you're good at it, you breeze through it and I'll just give it a quick check and you're on your way.   Like me, you spend more time fighting over doing it than you spend actually doing it!

School is going well for you, academically I have no worries as you're already interested in math up to multiplication and you're reading all the books school sends home.  The fall has been a bit touch and go with your friends.  You have two bffs you've had since you started in the infant room and I think the rule of 3 is coming in when you guys are deciding what to what to play at recess.  Batman vs Star Wars (you fighting for the latter) between two stubborn kids and the tiebreaker.  You've branched out though and I've heard you talk about other kids you've become friends with.  You also have your girlfriend D who you know I love and your sister is bffs with her sis (and her mom and I get along famously).  You are always so sweet with her, holding her hand and sharing your stuff, even holding doors with her. I love it.  

And speaking of sweet, you have the biggest heart of any 6 year old I know, always drawing pictures for me or making extra airplanes for your sister.  I am so incredibly proud of you for what you decided to do for your birthday party this year.  We found out you could have parties at the local SPCA, so we asked you and of course you jumped all over the idea of having dogs and cats at your party.  I gave you an option of getting presents from your friends like normal or requesting donations (presents for the dogs and cats) instead.  You didn't even hesitate when you said Mommy, the dogs don't even have homes, we need to bring them presents.   Your intentions were so sweet and my heart is still swollen with pride.  Your party ended up being a big success, with other kids loving the animals just as you do.  Despite the offer though, no one went home with any live party favors!

Finally, since I missed the entire fall a few updates on you.
-Your favorite color has shifted from yellow to red because you are a jr sith lord who was emperor palpatine on Halloween and Darth Vader and now Kilo Ren are your heroes.  We saw Star Wars a few days ago and you sat agape the entire show, enthralled for over two hours.  You still have an immense interest in science and planets and all that fun and seem to understand the big picture when we explain things like season change and even day and night.
-You got your report card and of the nearly 90 ranked kindergarten assessments you received 3/3 on all but 3 of them.  You know you're a smart kid but please, always remember to work hard and not give up.
-You've currently changed your career choice from engineer to dog rescuer.  You don't care that Daddy and I told you that wasn't really a "career", because that's what you're going to do.  Yes, you have gotten a bit more argumentative in your old age but if you didn't I'd start to wonder where you came from.
-You already eat like a teenager in terms of quantity and love fruit.  Your palate has recently expanded from just ordering pizza or mac n cheese at restaurants to burgers and more.  You haven't stopped talking about the chicken parm I made for you and you even ate loads of clams Daddy made on New Years Eve.  Keep it up, always be open to new things because you never know what you'll like.
-You may or may not become the next american ninja warrior.  You can climb trees and monkey bars with ease and can maneuver yourself on top of them in ways that I even can't.  Just please be careful up there buddy.

Well my favorite time of the day is almost here - when I pick you guys up from school and you greet me with the best hug and Hi Mommy! in the world, usually followed by Look at this ___ I made today!

I love you more than you'll ever know! (and yes, as you told me when I said this on your birthday Mo-om, you ALWAYS write that....)

Love,
Mommy

You made star wars puppets during after-care one day.  You made your sister
put on a puppet show with you and it was awesome. 

You loved this horse so much you asked if we could get one. 

Yup, that's an adult order. No problem for you. 

A boy and his best friends. 

You do still go back to your old faithfuls.. Make your own pizza? Every. Time. 

Just a leisurely ride through the neighborhood. 

this is you (in the blue) after I told you to NOT go as high.  To me
this is still too high!

A sick day at my work, you made no complaints about doing some math too...

You prefer apple pie (or cookies) to cake...

She loves you so much.  

One of the many things to decorate your mini-adult room.  Others include more posters,
a lightsaber lamp, star wars decals, and a full size bed complete with Star Wars comforter. 

Best birthday party ever.  As you've been told!

A random weeknight with your girlfriend.

Your favorite Santa gift - the Force Push

I forgot to mention what a great helper you are with putting things together.
Here you are taking apart the daybed/crib to move out of your sisters room. 

Legos = awesome!

Day 2 of Christmas break at grandmom's house. yikes!

Day three of Christmas break at work with me.  That day you told one of my
coworkers how funny it was when Spoons jumped on you and it "tickled my wee wee..." yikes again!

Your new old favorite game, chess.

Finally! A seafood eater.  Yummy clams. 

Your New Years' Kiss at midnight!

I have a feeling this will get a lot of use this summer! 

The Pre-K Graduate

Back in June, this happened.

Nope.  He didn't run for president, although it looks that way, he graduated from Pre-K.  My little big man is off to Kindergarten in a month.  I was more tearful than he was at this milestone, likely because he is lucky enough to be hitting K with his two best friends in the world and his girlfriend.  One more year together for this bunch since their parents need full time kindergarten and transitioning twice will be just too much for their poor mothers.

At this milestone, Gobbles stands roughly 46" tall, weighs around 50 lbs, and is 5 1/2 years old.  His favorite color is yellow (followed closely by red and blue, his bffs' faves), favorite foods are mac and cheese, pizza, hot dogs, grilled cheese, pez, m&ms, and teddy grahams.  He eats adult-size portions of everything and we're already clipping grocery coupons for when he's a teenager.   He still wants to be an engineer when he grows up and wants to go to college close enough that he can still live with Mommy (awww).  He prefers T-Ball to soccer but has taken an interest in golf and tennis.  It doesn't even occur to him that swimming is a sport / exercise because he has so much fun I cannot drag him away from the water.  

He is all about Star Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Lego Star Wars, just about anything Star Wars, and just completed watching all 6 installments of the movie.  He knows the background and relationships of the characters better than I do.  Occasionally he gives the galactic empire stuff a rest and relapses into super-hero-dom where Ironman rules followed by Batman and Captain America.  The tried and true Disney favorites that remain on high rotation are Big Hero 6, Wall-E, and the Incredibles.

Gobbles is looking forward to Kindergarten except for the fact that he'll now have to wake up 5 mornings a week, since on my home Fridays now he still sleeps in.  He's started reading simple books to us at bedtime until he gets a little lazy- Mommy can you just finish it?  and I do because I've been told not to push him, and he's exhausted by then anyway.  When he's playing restaurant with his sister he's always interested in writing down the order or making us a shopping list, half spelling the words himself and half asking us for clarification.  Addition and subtraction seem to come naturally to him and we're working on grasping times tables and division (he's always on point when it comes to dividing up food of course!).  My boy has a love for science and hypothesizing as well, correctly guessing outcomes most of the time and learning to be open to other peoples predictions as well.

Although we won't technically be a part of the elementary school yet, I still feel like a milestone has passed in the blink of an eye.  My firstborn is now a school-aged kid with homework and extracurriculars and bus transportation.  I will no longer get a daily report each day telling me what happened, we'll have to pry it out of him at dinner hoping we get better answers than fine, yes, no.  I know everything will work out as normal, but man time flies.  I mean, has it really been over 5 YEARS since I started tracking this kid?  Thank God I did, even if my posts are becoming more scarce.

Because, wow, he's such a little adult now:

Class...

Best buds!

They've been friends for longer than I was in high school...

I think they've already promised prom dates to each other...

One that we'll miss...

So proud of our boy

HEYYY.  DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING?

Boy, no respect for the little siblings!!

Just a touch of a lot of little voices: