Your passion and fire is reigned in some these days, but in the best sort of way. You still are intense in emotions and commitment, but you also are able to recognize when it is getting difficult to control your temper at home,which we appreciate immensely. Of course, it doesn't always work and you sometimes fight with your brother a bit more than I'd like, but you are working on it, and consciously trying to reign in that fire. I can see you trying to manage it.
You funnel some of it into the things you love. I can see so much of me in you sometimes- you are an organizer and enjoy building and fiddling with things. You'll spend significant amounts of time on Legos, or Knex or Perler beads or coloring. We could do these things together for hours, I imagine. We are the same that way. You also have your dads interest in being handy, you always want to help in the woodshop. You enjoy cooking too and will often help out when I ask you to in the kitchen.
After a few years of ambivalence about your bike, you have committed to it this year, long before the spring has arrived, you've asked to ride. I don't worry about your interest this summer- I'm sure we'll spend much time on our bikes touring the city.
At six you are an excellent reader. Its amazing to me how easy it comes to you. You don't seem to try very hard at it but have a fantastic intuitive sense on how to figure out words. I am always amazed that you can figure out how to say words you've never seen before or perfectly guess how to spell words your brother is working on in 2nd grade. Its definitely a strength of yours.
You still do not love chores though. You are my negotiator always asking me, "why are you making me do chores?!? when you aren't doing them?!?" to which I often explain what contributing to our family means and what we all do to keep our family in working order. You don't fight me too much on it, but once in awhile I see a glimpse of a dead weight toddler in there wanting to just pout on the couch for a bit.
You continue to have a strong interest in soccer, and to some degree a few other sports, but nothing else as nearly as strongly as that. You are loving being a Lion Cub in boy scouts this year so you can join in and participate with the other kids instead of just watching on the sidelines. The continuous trial of your days is being the younger brother who doesn't yet get to do all the things that Collin does. All in due time, dear Owen. One day you'll be that age too.
Your heart is two sizes bigger, two sizes more generous and two sizes more transparent this year. I feel like I see more love from you, more hugs, more gratitude, but also more sharing of those emotions that are so hard on your heart- when you miss family we don't see often, when you feel unfairly treated, when you can't quite understand our decisions. My solution for you often begins with a hug because you continue to be so cuddly, just like you were as a baby.
This year for your birthday, we traveled to Michigan, so that meant a birthday party without friends. Typically I would say no to commercial characters, but since you weren't having friends and I couldn't do much to actually plan it in Michigan, I gave in to Star Wars, which I think just made your day. You've never seen the movie, but that didn't stop you from knowing and wanting to identify all the characters and plots.
When we traveled to Michigan things were pretty easy- we arrived on friday, had your party on saturday. You even got to spend time with GG Ruth, which we treasure. But on Sunday things changed- and the norovirus swept through our family, bringing a hellacious first 11 days to 2017. The only person to not get it was Eden, by some grace of God, and you poor dear Owen were sick on the flight home (literally) and on your actual birthday, which was so sad!
When you were finally better you chose the dinner location, as is tradition, and as typical, you chose the rainforest cafe- possibly my least favorite restaurant, but one of your favorites, so we tolerate it for your birthday. You were excited to finally be able to go after you were well and I was super excited to escape the wrath of the Norovirus, finally. So, six, will certainly be a birthday for you I never forget, and I imagine you'll recall it for a long time ahead too.
Six is so much fun for you. I love seeing you grow and I can't wait to see what seven brings. You are such a light in our lives and I'm so thankful God made me your momma. To another year of adventure and learning as we go, my dear sweet Owen. I love you with all my heart.
love
Momma (and Dad too!)
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