SIX!!!

Happy Birthday Hayden! He has turned the big oh-six. He is quite pleased to be six because now he gets to move up in the age bracket for pretty much all sports-out of the 4-5's and into the 6-8's. That's big! It also means a later bed time. Yeah! Its good to be six, it's much more independent than 5. Six year olds don't have to ask for a glass of water; they just climb the counters, get their own cup and get the pitcher of water out of the fridge all on their own. Six year olds can make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Really kind six year olds think of their little sisters and make extras! Thank goodness Hayden is one of the kind 6 year olds. Six year olds prefer showers to baths. He is a shower singer too. His favorite shower song cracks me up; its the water cycle song he learned at school.
"Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, on my head" sung to clementine.
Six year olds are responsible enough to have gadgets. Hayden got a Nintendo DS for his birthday. He played all weekend long. We have been talking about the DS since Grandpa brought his here at Easter. Hayden didn't really want much else. So to throw him off, I wrapped it and then put it in a big box and wrapped that. When he saw the big box, he was excited, but you could see the concern in his eyes-the box was way to big to be a DS! It was fun, he opened the big box and joy just spread over his whole face; the little boxes inside were just the right size.

At 6:
*Hayden is a great reader, he has moved into beginner chapter books like Flat Stanley, The Magic Treehouse, and Cam Jansen mysteries. I must say, watching my boy learn to read is one of the greatest accomplishments yet.
*Hayden is addicted to all things sports: T-ball is in season right now. He can't wait to do coach pitch though. He swings the bat around before his turn to hit just like Ichiro does. Its hilarious. He plays catch with the boys in the neighborhood everyday after they get off the bus. And nothing makes him happier than a game of backyard baseball with the whole family.
*Hayden refuses to wear sandals, and shorts are only OK if they are athletic shorts. If I veto athletic shorts, he opts for jeans and sneakers, even if its 98 degrees. Maybe the 100s will sway him.
*Hayden has not lost a single tooth. All the kids in his class have lost at least 1 or two, some have more holes than teeth. Not Hayden.
His favorite foods are blueberries and stawberries. Honorable mention goes to apples, grapes, and German Pancakes.
*Hayden has taken on the job of secretary. If you have called our house, you know this. It can be difficult to get him to give the phone up. He has also learned to make calls too, mostly to his friend Emma. (she sends him notes with her phone number, so cute!)
*Hayden's taste in TV is maturing, he would prefer to watch the Mariners, but will settle for whats on Nick or Toon Disney. He is bored with the shows on Playhouse Disney. This is sad for me...we did the Wiggles concert a few years ago and now, he says he doesn't like that show.
*Hayden plays hard. His little friends come over and they play hide and seek in the back yard and make obstacle courses and ride scooters and stuff. He plays amazingly well with Sage and has really tried hard to include Marlee too. He will entertain himself or help out me and Heath with chores. If he can find someone willing, he will play till they give up. He never does. He comes in at night coated in sweat and dirt, exhausted. All boy!
Six is a funny age, trying so hard to be grown up, but still trying to enjoy all the parts of being a kid. I love to watch him work through his decisions. He is so expressive. A big Hayden grin can brighten even the most gloomy of days. He is gentle and loving to his sisters and a friend to all he meets. I am so proud of my little man who is growing up sooooo fast. Happy birthday buddy!!!