Six

"When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was hardly new.

When I was Three,
I was barely me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be Six now forever and ever."

-A. A. Milne, "Now We Are Six"

It's been such a long time since I posted. I've felt too sick lately to compose a paragraph, much less an entire post. Major's birthday (April 1st) was right in the middle of some of my puniest days. I was too sick to plan a birthday party for him. It makes me feel terrible that I couldn't plan a big special birthday for my Maje. Thankfully, Josh took him to opening day of the Rangers. My parents bought a birthday cake for him and threw him a little party. Then, about a month after his actual birthday, we finally took him to eat at Fuddruckers and bowling at Main Event. It wasn't a total dud of a birthday, just not how I'd imagined it. Next year, sweet Major's birthday is going to be a big event if I have anything to say about it. I couldn't let more than two months go by without writing a birthday letter to my sweet Maje.

Major,

You are such a blessing to your dad and me. You make us smile every day with your silly jokes and creative thoughts about life. The year between five and six has been one of growth and change for you. I can see that you are slowly transforming from a little guy into a big boy. A few weeks ago, I noticed that you let go of my hand as we walked into church. You did it intentionally, as if you were declaring your independence from your momma. You aren't entirely grown up, though. You still aren't too big to hug me in front of your friends or put your arm around me during church. You are growing into a big guy.

You are very interested in sports right now. You observed to me the other day how great it is that the people in charge of sports planned it out so perfectly so that when one sports season ends another is just beginning. That way it isn't quite as sad because there is always a new sport to enjoy. You love love love to watch ballgames, perhaps a little too much sometimes. Recently, you explained your plan to eventually play baseball for the Rangers and then football for the Cowboys during the off season. You spend lots of time during the day playing baseball and basketball around the house. When you play in an actual game (like Upwards), you get a very intense look and give it your all. That's my guy!

You are preoccupied with storytelling and writing stories right now. This year, you learned to read. You can read pretty well and love to read almost as much as Mary Alice did at your age. You love "snuggle time" with your sister. Every morning, you wake her up and remind her that it is snuggle time. The two of you lay together in Mary Alice's bed and tell stories to each other. I LOVE this. You are an awesome storyteller, very creative. I love to read the stories that you write. They are usually super funny to read. You love to share them with anyone who is interested. The toy cars that used to accompany you everywhere have been mostly replaced by your sketchpad and your notebook.

You adore your big sis and get very lonely when she isn't around. The two of you are always playing some imaginative game together. Last week, the two of you turned our ironing board into a bat cave. It seems that most of the time, you are the one who leads the direction of the play. I don't often hear about you playing house with Mary Alice. Usually she is the one that plays your games. We've had to work on that this year. You are definitely a leader, but sometimes need to learn to give just a little.

You are a social little guy, always giving a friendly pat on the back and a "Hey!" when you see your peers. You seem to enjoy cutting up a little bit and gravitate toward those kids who also enjoy being silly. I have a feeling that if you were in school, you might get into trouble for talking too much or telling jokes when you were supposed to be listening.

You are an encourager. You use your talent for writing to encourage others. Nearly every week you carry a handwritten note to church with you. You love to draw pictures and write sweet notes to your family members and friends.

I guess the biggest discipline issue we've faced with you this year is laziness. You have a tendency to try to sneak by with less than your best sometimes. Your dad and I have used many creative ways to train you in this area. We want you to always do your best, to work at things with all of your heart. We pray that you will have a strong work ethic and that this will carry over into your God-given role of being the provider for your family.

Major, you are the best son that we could have ever imagined. You are an absolute joy. I am so glad that God created you and gave you to us to train and teach about him. We pray for you daily, that God will be first in your heart and that He will use you for His glory. You are the best guy in the whole world! I'm so thankful that we've had you for these last six years and pray that God will bless your life in every way. I love you buddy.

Mom