Five Alive

At 8:30ish this morning, Ethan turned five years old.  Five!  Hard to wrap my head around that one.  But oh how I love this age!  Newly-five might be my most favorite yet.  At five, Ethan straddles two worlds - a big enough kid that he can start doing some really cool stuff with Mom and Dad but little enough that he still, almost always, wants to be with Mom and Dad.  I can't get enough time with Ethan these days - it's that enjoyable to be with him.  And I don't say all this to brag about how amazing my child is (although, of course, I think he is) - I really do only mean to say that I just love this age.  Nearly gone are the irrational impulses, the temper tantrums, the constant need for help with everything, the frenetic energy (well, not quite...).  Gone is our preschooler, really, and in his place is an independent, focused, calm big kid who is so ready for kindergarten.  I love five.  I love that Ethan and I can now sit and work on a puzzle together, and that it's one that truly challenges us both.  I love that we can play a game that involves more than a spinner and that I don't have to let him win.  I love that Ethan and his dad can read about dinosaurs, or space, or wacky who-knows-whats for an hour and legitimately enjoy that activity together.  I love that Ethan and I can head out hiking or snowshoeing, and that it's me who is often working to keep up with him.  I love that when we do yoga, he can focus long enough for me to teach him some new poses, and that I catch him practicing on his own later.  From the day Ethan was born, I have enjoyed spending time with him, but there is certainly a shift occurring, where it is less about getting down on the floor and trying to rally around driving toy cars while making vrrroommmm vrrroommmm noises and more about finding activities that excite us both, and choosing to share them.  It's a wonderful evolution in our parent-child relationship.

But more about Ethan on this, his fifth birthday.  At five, Ethan loves to learn.  He adores school, and comes home eager to share what the sponge that is his brain has soaked up each day.  His favorite books right now are four reference-type books - an atlas, a book about the human body, and two books about dinosaurs.  Oh, dinosaurs.  We couldn't possibly discuss Ethan's current loves without mentioning dinosaurs.  We live, breathe, eat, and sleep dinosaurs these days.  It turns out there are now many more dinosaurs than the T. Rex, stegosaurus, brontosaurus (not a dinosaur anymore!), and triceratops of our youth.  Ben and I are enjoying the expansion of our dinosaur repertoire - I think we both prefer it to the "playing construction" of days past.  Don't get me wrong, trucks and trains and all things that go are still big hits in our house,  but dinosaurs and legos and activity books and magic tricks have grown in popularity of late.  Ethan also keeps busy mastering his letters and drawing, drawing, and drawing some more.  Still an early riser some days, he stays happily drawing in his room until seven, at which point he wanders into our room and presents us each with a masterpiece.  Besides his name, Ethan can now write many other words without help, including the names of most of his friends at school.  Oddly enough, he has learned to write "Mommy" but not "Daddy", so instead fills our family portraits with the labels "Ethan", "Adam", "Mommy", and "Ben".  

At five, Ethan maintains some adorable vestiges of toddler-dom that I hope persist at least a bit longer.  Every night, just before he closes his eyes, he still yells out, "Good night, I'm going to sleep now!  I love you!".  When he sneezes, he says "Bless me", or if someone else says "Bless you" first, he'll say "Bless me too!".  While his language is now almost entirely clear, Ethan continues to say "trackiff" when he means "traffic".  He still fears monsters, but also fears more concrete, real threats, like fires and burglars.  But most importantly, my 45-lb giant still wants to be picked up and hugged like a baby.    

At five, the importance of peers is beginning to creep into Ethan's awareness.  He comes home with stories of which friend has what video game, and who gets to watch what movie.  He cares a little less about what Mom and Dad think and a little more about what his friends think.  The weight of our opinions remains the strongest, but I do notice subtle changes in this regard.  We are also beginning to embarrass him a bit, I think.  My silly dance moves that used to make him laugh now make Ethan shriek in horror, "No Mom, stop!".  My requests for hugs are sometimes refused, particularly if I've just gotten one, or (my favorite) if I'm still in my jammies ("Not until you get dressed.  Then I'll give you a hug Mommy.").  Ethan is suddenly camera-shy, and gets annoyed if I insist on taking his picture.  For the most part, Ethan is still a sweet innocent boy who loves his parents with his whole heart, but I do notice that we irritate him in ways than we didn't used to, and I catch occasional glimpses of all the fun that lies ahead.  

To celebrate Ethan's birthday, I brought pumpkin muffins and a dinosaur book in to share with his class today.  One of his friends came up to me afterwards and said, "I want to have Ethan over to my house sometime because he has always been so nice to me."  I have always thought of Ethan that way - much like his dad, he has no enemies and is a friend to everyone.  It is a trait I hope stays with him as the challenges of cliques and popularity encroach upon the pure friendships of early childhood.  Ethan has always been a lovable guy, but I do believe he is his most lovable self to date this year.  He is kind, genuine, eager, earnest, pure, and gentle.  He is one very special five-year-old in my book, and I couldn't be prouder of the little man he is becoming.  

Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!  What a wild and wonderful journey we've started.  We love you more than  even your very smart little brain can imagine.