Brandon is six! Six years and about 8 months ago, we were SHOCKED to learn of his impending arrival. I suppose when you have a 12-week old baby and you find out you're expecting ANOTHER baby, 'shocked' is a pretty common emotion.
{So are anxiety, joy, worry, happiness, anxiety...but, again, that could have been the hormones. There were a lot of hormones happening. I'd say ask Marc, but I think he's somehow forgotten those months. Probably for the best.}
The year of five was a huge year for Mr. Brandon. Three and four were hard. So an easier year filled with many important and wonderful milestones was welcome and cherished.
We made the difficult decision to hold Brandon back in preschool an extra year. He is on an IEP for his anxiety and a few other issues and after many discussions, we decided he could greatly benefit from an extra year. I say "difficult" because, if I'm being honest, I was planning on both kids being in school all day so I had more flexibility to work full-time. So it was not a "difficult" decision to make for the benefit of B. Mommy just needed some time to adjust.
Regardless--it was worth it. The growth we have seen in B has made us surer than ever that we made the right decision and that he will be ready to start kindergarten in the fall. Transitions are hard for B so we are prepared for some potential hard times at the beginning of the school year, but I'm not kidding when I say B has blown us out of the water with his growth. He may end up having no issues at all and step right into the next phase of his life--an elementary school kid.
But here we are, saying good-bye to five. I'm actually kind of sad because it was such a great year. Moving away from three and four were not hard for me--they were hard years and I was ready to get on the next. But five...so many good memories.
Here's how B's year went in his words. I haven't been as good of recording his "words" these days but I do tend to get some of the good ones. Enjoy!
**********
He has a fascination/love/hate relationship with squirrels:
B: Aaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
Me: What's wrong?!
B: The squirrel looked at me!
Me: *laughing, laughing, laughing*
B: But mommy, you have to get him. In a net!
Me: Yeah, I'll work on that.
B: I'm allergic to nuts.
Me: What now? Why do you say that?
B: Because squirrels eat them.
**********
The time he became a fashion blogger with his stellar outfit of the day flat lay. I then took the picture, to complete the cycle.
**********
Superheroes and Star Wars...his favorites.
I noticed that B had been playing a lot with Batman versus someone who sounded a lot like "Hillary Clinton." When I finally asked if Hillary was a villain, B replied:
"Yes, but it's not the same Hillary Clinton you know. She's different. She's friends with the joker."
Any guesses on the name he was TRYING to say???
{Answer: Harley Quinn}
When talking about a superhero, B asks, "Is he one of the Avengers or one of Batman's friends?"
At five, he was already understanding the difference between Marvel & the DC universe!
B, talking about swimming with goggles: "I put my head back & floated. I was a floating storm trooper!"
Me: "What now? A storm trooper?"
B: "Yes! With my mask on, I was a storm trooper."
Hitting a stick against a tree. Stick breaks. "Oh, this is definitely NOT a light saber."
**********
Reactions to seasons, time:
"It's light out so can we get up?"
"But I thought it was spring!" was B's reaction to April snow.
**********
Over the year, he's had a few times where he's been a little mad at his momma.
One day he was arguing with me about every little thing. Then, every time I would try to speak he would start "singing" the "Imperial March."
Another time he was grumpy, I tried to get him out of his funk by talking about his "awesome" shoes because they light up when he walks. He replies with,
"No mommy! Don't call my shoes awesome, I'M awesome, not my shoes."
And yet another time B was mad at me he said,
"I'm going to tell the police & they are going to put you in jail!"
Then, the next time he threatened me with the police, he got a little more detailed:
B: I'm going to put anchors on your hands!
Me: What does that mean?
B: It's when I'm a police officer & I bring you to jail!
***********
Working on his joke-telling skills.
B: Why did the queen go to the dentist?
Me: Why?
B: To get something. I mean to clean her teeth? HAHAHA!
**********
Master negotiator...
After school the kids get to chose between tablet time or a cartoon. They always pick the tablet. One day B picked a cartoon & when it was over he said, "Ok now I want tablet time now."
Me: "Sorry, you picked a cartoon and watched it, so that's it."
B: "No, I changed my mind!"
Me: "But you already watched the cartoon."
B: "Well I didn't want to and now I want to play on my tablet."
**********
My sweet B.
E was at a play date & I found B playing in her room. When I asked why he was in there he said, "I miss Elena."
B: My heart hurts.
Me: Why?
B: Because when daddy is gone at the band.
"Look! The moon is following us! Maybe when we get there the moon will find another car to follow."
**********
Sorry kid, it's biology.
"I wish I had a baby in my tummy."
After breaking the news, B was very upset upon hearing that boys don't get babies in tummies.
**********
A way with words.
Me: Can you please be quiet for a minute, I have to make a phone call.
B: I'm never quiet!
Saw a picture of Beyoncé at the met gala & said "she's a girl C3PO!" (google: 'beyonce met gala 2016')
McDonalds = Old MacDonald
Shorts = Short sleeve pants
Oh for goodness sakes SOUNDS LIKE oh for goodness sex.
After B sneezes: "Bless you me"
Elephant peanuts sounds a lot like elephant penis.
In a rhyming phase:
"Mommy, what rhymes with mirror? Oh, I know...beer!"
While waiting for E to finish getting her haircut, from the boy who HATES getting his haircut: "I think when I grow up I'll be a hair cut worker."
Daddy: What was your favorite part of the beach?
B: The water.
**********
He'll eat anything, from anywhere, in the fastest way he can. In other words: no silverware.
"Mommy, I need a napkin to clean up this mess."
A second later, "Nevermind I just licked the table."
A sentence I never thought I'd have to say:
"Brandon! We don't put food in our ears...
...& we especially don't then EAT that food."
How he eats corn on the cob:
And how he eats pie:
**********
And here is the newly minted 6yo's birthday survey:
- Age: 6
- Favorite Color: Red
- Best Friend: Miguel
- Favorite Snack/Treat: Cheerios
- What do you want to be when you grow up: Police Officer
- Favorite Song: “I Have a Little Turtle”
- Favorite TV Show: Puppy Dog Pals
- Favorite Movie: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
- Favorite thing to do with family: Paint nails
- Favorite Book: The Snowy Day
- Favorite food for breakfast: Cheerios
- Favorite food for lunch: Peanut butter roll up
- Favorite food for dinner: Pizza
- Most important thing learned so far: Arts and crafts
- Favorite Toy: Batman
- Are you afraid of anything: Chipmunks
- Favorite thing to do outside: Play t-ball
- Favorite place to visit: Florida to see Grammy and Grandpa
- Mom's favorite thing to do with you: Listening to you “read” stories.
- Dad's favorite thing to do with you: Pitching you baseballs so you can practice hitting them.
- What is one thing you want for your birthday: Superheroes—the Hulk.
- How are you celebrating your birthday this year: A party, a day at the MOA with rides, and out to dinner.
And, finally, apologies B. Because I guess I just did...
B: Don't write that down!
Me: Why not?
B: Because I don't want you to share it with all the people.
Happy birthday to my little boy who is turning into a young man. And I'm not sure I'm ready!
xo Sara
P.S. HERE'S the post from B's last birthday.