Happy 6th Birthday to Beckett!!!
It's kind of impossible to believe that Beckett is 6. He still seems like a wee baby in my mind, but 6 year olds aren't babies - and he is definitely not wee... Somehow, in the chaos of the day-to-day, he grew up. He's a BOY now. And a pretty awesome one at that.
When I think about how to describe Beckett the word that first comes to mind is FEARLESS. He is not afraid of anything. He doesn't back away form work, people, or new situations. Possibly the only thing he's afraid of is vegetables. He is a very confident child - which has pros and cons for sure! He's not timid - ever.
Beck has gone through some pretty significant changes this year. He changed schools, groups at church, started jiu jitsu, and joined a football team. He goes into these situations as if they are nothing new. Sometimes he is a bit quiet at the beginning, but I wouldn't call him shy. I think it takes him a minute to assess the situations. I think, in a way, he's figuring out the pecking order of the new group. It's possible he's seeking out all the weaknesses in the group! HA!
The downside of a kid who's not afraid of anything is that he really doesn't care if he's breaking rules because he's not worried about any repercussions. This makes our youngest more than a little ornery on occasion. He has had more discipline notes from his teacher in 9 weeks than some of his brothers have had in years. (I do remind myself from time to time that Quinn was almost exactly the same... and he's now a really good listener!) At Jiu Jitsu, when he misbehaves Sensai Sean makes him do "wall sits". I figure by the time he's 7 the kid will have ridiculously strong thigh muscles!
Speaking of strength, this is one of the things I find pretty fascinating about Bucky. He's really, really strong. Like stronger than you would expect a 6 year old to be. He's also easily got the best coordination of any of our boys. He climbs fences, rides bikes and scooters, runs and plays and wrestles. He's a very physical kid. I suppose growing up with a house full of brothers, who are all active, he was bound to be physical. The fact that he seems to have some natural abilities in this area is going to make him really fun to watch in the coming years.
Beckett definitely benefits from being the baby of the family. I admit that he's got Bob and me wrapped around his finger. He has a way about him, if you know him you understand, to get what he wants. This works on his brothers too. He's got great relationships with all 3 of the older boys. He idolizes Spencer. He loves Quinn's kind and caring ways. He is Zane's best friend and playmate. It is one of my biggest pleasures in life to watch the interactions between those boys. I hope someday Beckett realizes how lucky he is to hold his special place in our family.
I know Beck will have a fantastic year. He's got so many cool things in front of him now that he's got many of those big transitions behind him. Now we can just sit back and enjoy watching him learn and play - and love. I am so excited about spending the next year with our spunky little Bucky. I am so blessed to get to be his mom.
Happy Birthday Beckett!
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Today I am wrapping up another trip away from home. It's been a bit of a rough month! I'm actually sending this from a Delta plane somewhere over Arizona on the way back from Las Vegas. When I get home we have parent teacher conferences and then get to watch Spencer play in his last football game as a 9th grader. His team is undefeated and they are playing for the 9th grade county championship. I can't believe his football season is already over. It seems like it just started. (Monday he starts wrestling practice... and the merry-go-round keeps going.)
This weekend we have more football games, more lacrosse games, and a trip to play "family paintball" to celebrate Beckett's birthday. The paintball place Spencer went to has a special option for little kids - and it just happens that you have to be 6 to do it. Bucky was so excited to find out that he was old enough!
Next week I'm off to Orlando, but just for 1 night. Then I think (hope/pray) that I'm home for a while!
Have a great week everyone!
