Happy 5th Birthday, Evan

Dear Evan,

Today you turn five and graduate from preschool. How did you get here so quickly? I was walking around our house two days ago and the realization came that it was exactly five years ago that I knew something was up because I had your Dad take a picture of me from the side with my big belly evidence of you and your last days as my "inside baby." Soon I knew I'd have to share you with the rest of the world and part of me was sad about that. Your kicks, your hiccups, even your tiny feet jabbing me in the lungs, those were between you and me. But now I think how lucky we are to get to share your little personality with the world.

From the moment I felt those first kicks I should have known being a parent is a balancing act. It's pride and love and the desire to keep you safe and secure along with the bittersweet jabs of watching you grow - the fierce independence, constant curiosity, and less dependence on me and your Dad.

I have watched you truly bloom this year. You are an intense observer of the world around you, asking such great questions, usually followed by something beyond your years, like "why does it have to be so complicated?" You came home on day one at your new school explaining how storms happen: "The cold air wants to play with the hot air, but the hot air doesn't want to play. So they fight and they create a storm." The next week we got to hear about the life cycle of a butterfly. No wonder you got the "Smarty" award from your teacher!



Just when I begin to question whether or not you're four going on 24, you remind me that you're still our little boy. You still use words like "lellow" for yellow and a new one this year - "patterin" for pattern. You give hugs and kisses and seem to have an uncanny sense for when they're needed most. You are shy, but equally boisterous, winning over every parent's heart at one of your tee-ball games when you yelled from second base, "Daddy! I love you more than sugar!"



You make the absolute best faces.





I'm a little afraid we've turned you into a music nerd. Just ask the people in Kroger who you've serenaded with your rendition of "Do You Hear The People Sing?" while strolling the aisles of the store.



I know your world is about to be shaken up with the arrival of a baby brother or sister, but I also know that you are going to be an awesome big brother. You have a heart full of love for others. What more could a parent want?





I am so proud of you, Evan. Today as you graduate and turn five, and always. You are one remarkable little dude.



XOXO, Mommy