Eating My Words...

I've been known to say I think kids are really cute until they hit about six or so. After that, their teeth get too big for their face, they learn mean things at school, the boys get stinky while the girls get giggly, they all become obnoxious, they're on their way to the "awkward phase," and basically, they're just not little and cute anymore...

I am now officially eating my words.

I love six-year-olds (well, my own six-year-old, at least) and here are a few reasons why:

1. They are increasingly more and more independent (making breakfast, cleaning up all the toys, helping buckle brother into car seat, thinking he's going to learn how to make a bottle, etc.) but still needing a morning and nightly cuddle-fix.

2. They still are so excited to have their parents around- he'll even insist on holding my hand when I come help his class at school! It also helps that Dad is the best at soccer, the fastest runner, the best swimmer/biker/insert-amazing-feat-here, and of course, the "funnest" AND "smartest" person in the world; while Mom is the prettiest lady, best cook, nicest mom, and "funnest" AND "smartest" GIRL in the world. (sorry for what's happening below, the "smartest" girl in the world can't figure out how to get the dang picture to rotate...)

3. They start thinking of sweet things like giving mom a much-needed back rub, or surprising the whole family with breakfast (the yummiest soggy cereal ever tasted), or helping dad with his honey-do chores... 

4. I have a feeling he will be extra helpful with the baby. He heard Brett and I talking one time about how we're dreading the whole getting-up-all-night-stage, and offered to get up at night with the baby. After I told him no because we'll need to feed the baby, he replied, "But mom- you can just teach me how to make a bottle and I'll be so quiet I won't even wake you up!" The poor kid obviously knows how much mom loves her sleep... Note to readers: Don't worry, no need to call DCFS, I will be feeding my own baby at night. Although I really am toying with the idea of teaching him to make a bottle ;)

5. Six has all of the sudden become a magical age full of firsts:

• First Real Friend: I say "real," because it's the first time in his life when mom's not the one saying: "Here's so-and-so, this is your friend- now you're expected to play and get along." Hunter's made a couple of new friends this year and it's been fun to see how excited he gets about playing with them. (It can become quite the ordeal, as we have to play with our best toys and be on our best behavior). In the back of my mind, I'm thinking,"What's so special about this kid?" and then I remember it's special because it's Hunter's choice.  
• First Crush: I've been lucky enough that he's been willing to talk to me about this cute girl he adores. This picture explains it all: 
     
It took him a week to get up the nerve to give it to her, because after all, "What if she doesn't want to marry me back?"
• First Time Reading: Can I just say watching Hunter learn to read has been so much fun (probably because I haven't had to do much in this area)! I've never been excited to play cars, trains, super heroes, swords, robots, monsters, or any other boy-related toy or activity with my kids... In fact, I have no problem admitting I really suck in this area as a mom (luckily Brett makes up for it- anyone who knows him can imagine how much he loves to play with the boys). So now, I can look forward to bonding over Harry Potter this summer with my new little reading buddy.   

So here's to my six-year-old.

He's not obnoxious, hasn't developed a "mean streak," nor is he awkward or stinky (yet?), and there are definitely no horse smiles here- he's still as cute and sweet as ever!