Matthew Turns Six

I can't believe that my chubby, cuddly, fussy little baby boy is now a tall, gangling, inquisitive six-year-old! He has grown up so much over the past year - going to school full time, learning to read, getting his first girlfriend - and now he is talking about how he is practically an adult. When he greeted me the morning of his birthday, he announced: "Now I'm six! And then I'll keep getting bigger and then be the same as YOU, right Mom?"

Please, Matthew, slow down! Don't be in such a hurry to grow up!

This year, his birthday fell on a school day. But when you're in Kindergarten, that is NOT a bad thing. Matthew was so excited because he got to be the "line leader" all day at school. Plus, his teacher presented him with a birthday crown with his name on it that he wore all day long at school so everyone in the school could wish him "Happy Birthday". His entire class sang to him, the principal presented him with a birthday certificate, and he got to bring in cupcakes to share with his class. He had a great day at school.

After school, we went out for an early dinner as a family. Traditionally, Matthew has requested pizza on his birthday. However, this year he decided to change things up a bit and asked if we could go to the "cowboy restaurant" -  known more commonly as "Texas Roadhouse." We went to the restaurant early to avoid crowds and when we walked in we realized that Tuesdays are apparently "kids night" at the Roadhouse. This basically means that all kid dinners are two bucks and there is a balloon artist who will come to your table and make a balloon for the kids. At first when I heard this, I was dreading the fiasco balloons often cause but the birthday boy was super excited about it, so I decided to bury my ill feelings and just go with the flow.

For his birthday dinner, the birthday boy ordered....wait for it....a hot dog. Yes, we went to a steakhouse so Matthew could order a hot dog. We tried to talk him out of it, but it was truly what he wanted to eat. And eat it he did while declaring it "the most delicious hot dog ever."

When the balloon artist came to our table, he really impressed me with how wonderful he was to the kids. He was funny, he was entertaining, he did tricks, he told jokes, and the balloons he made for the kiddos were much more fancy and elaborate than any I have ever seen! Matthew laughed so hard at his jokes and the guy just ate it up.

Here is an example of the banter:

Balloon Guy: "How old are you today, Matthew?"
Matthew: "I'm six!"
"You're sick?"
"No, I'm SIX!"
"What?!? You're sick!? Is it contagious?! Good thing I got my flu shot!"
"I'm six! You know, like the number six?"
"You don't look all that sick!"

And Matthew just laughed and laughed the entire time. It was really funny He spent a good 20 minutes at our table entertaining the kids - and us too! It was really great to see the kids having such a good time. He made Emma a "princess wand" and a giant octopus for Matthew. It really made our night!

When we returned home, there were presents for our birthday boy. He received a small LEGO set, the game Trouble, a puzzle from his grandparents, two Life at the Pond CDs (he loves that radio program), and a BIG trampoline for our backyard. He loved all his gifts, but was especially pumped about the trampoline! Unfortunatey, we do have to wait a couple more months for the snow to melt before we set it up, but Matthew was so icredibly excited about having a giant trampoline to bounce on all day long. Emma was also excited. They spent a couple minute jumping around the house expressing their joy before we told them to calm down and come into the kitchen for their sugar injection...I mean, the birthday cake.

This year, Matthew was less than helpful in selecting a cake for his birthday. So, I decided to make things a bit easier on myself and make him an ice cream cake. I know how much he loves ice cream and figured that I could not lose. The first layer was a coffee and dark chocolate ice cream, followed by a layer of fudge and crushed OREO cookies, and then a layer of caramel ice cream. I then decorated the entire cake with a whipped cream frosting and some sprinkles. Very simple, but pretty. The birthday boy was pleased. We all sang to him while he smiled with glee. You see, this is the part about birthdays that he looks forward to the most. He blew out all the candles, and just like that...he is six.

I feel as if Matthew has been a part of our lives forever while, at the same time, only yesterday being that tiny newborn we lovingly strapped into an infant car seat for the first time and then loaded into the back seat of our Camry for the short ride home from the hospital. Now look at him! I can't stop him from growing up, but I will continue to relish the cuddles, the hugs, and the kisses that he is still so happy to shower upon his mother. I am excited for the young man he is becoming and know that God has something wonderful planned for his future.

We love you, dear Matthew, and are so proud of you. Happy Birthday!