happy 6th birthday, parker!

He’s six. Somehow, somewhere, enough days have passed to make this once pudgy little thing a tall, lanky six year old. Six. Six! When it was enough years to fit on one hand, it still made him my little guy. Now I feel like he’ll start rolling his eyes when I call him that, or not taking my hand as we walk into a new place. So far, he’s still taking it. And every time he does I think, “Oh, I’m so glad he’s still holding my hand.” It’s such a sweet, intimate act. We don’t say anything. My hand falls to my side, opens, and he takes it. Being a Mom is magic.It started, as Hunt birthdays often do, with breakfast in bed. This year he chose blueberry pancakes. I added a bowl of peaches and blueberries on the side. The peaches were perfect. Anders joined him and Parker let him stick his spoon into the whipped cream over and over. What a novel idea, Anders thought. Pancakes with whipped cream on the top bunk? Don’t mind if I do.The rest of the day was pretty quiet which is just the sort of day Parker Hunt would want. His tootin’ around home days are some of his favorite. With his family around? Even better. Nathaniel and Jordan were here too, and he loved it. He’s pretty cute about having these big brothers. If there’s ever talk of a “bad guy” (fictitious, of course) he’s always talking about how Nathaniel and Jordan and William could get him. (I’ll have to show him the new Wonder Woman some time so that he recognizes that Lindsey and I too could get the bad guy.) Neighbors (who are good friends, too) came over with a present too and stayed and chatted for awhile. Then later in the afternoon, his cousins and aunt and uncle (my sister and her family) rode their bikes over and we all sat in the backyard with apps and rose while the kids played. Nathaniel had given him a sort of play bow and arrow and he loved running around with that.For dinner, he requested steak, string beans, and blackberries. Done. Last year was steak and raspberries if I’m not mistaken. I added the potatoes because… a lot of mouths to feed.Presents this year were blue track (he’s been talking about this for months since they had it at his preschool), a Ninjago Lego set, a remote control Lamborghini, some new capes and masks, and a few other things. Then, after dinner, it was back outside we went to play with the new toys. In the summer months, the backyard is such an extension of our first floor. We’re out there all the time. The charge is usually led by those two little ones.Anders took this so seriously. He must’ve eyed Parker’s arms in the air out of the corner of his eye before he did that because, really, where does he learn this stuff? Anyway, he was so serious about being Captain America. We’d look around like we couldn’t find Anders and he would push his mask up off his face and go, “Me!” with this giant smile like he was so pleased to have stumped you. It was absurdly cute.  Then he would put the mask back on and run off again, sometimes holding the cape straight behind him so it would appear to be in flight. I actually watched the whole thing–Parker playing with his car, Anders being so delighted as an incognito superhero–and nearly wept with the cuteness of it all. Little boys. They’ve got to be some of the sweetest, most endearing creatures God ever made.It was a pretty uneventful day, but perfect for the six year old. Do you know he’s requested–two years in a row now–to not have a party (“just with our family” he says). He doesn’t say exactly why, but knowing him, I think it’s because he doesn’t want other people singing to him or the attention on him. I have a feeling we could’ve gone either way this year for our timid guy. I’m just seeing so many ways in which he’s maturing lately, but still, we went low key. He embarrasses easily so the idea of all of these other kids and potentially their parents singing to him makes him totally nervous. But, he was sung to four times yesterday and not just by his immediate family and he smiled through it all! I think next year we’re going to throw a real party! Though, with the Hunt numbers, it’s practically a party even with it’s just us. It was so nice to have everyone around for the day. Brownies were the request. Easy peasy. Like his new fingerless gloves? He’s been dreaming about them since he saw them in Orvieto and was sure he needed a pair. Steve came through on his birthday.
Well, Parker, you’re six years old. You’ve brought us endless joy, laughs, cuddles, and total and utter sweetness. I cannot believe you’re six but I sure hope you’ll keep letting me kiss you on the lips, hug you when I want, hold your hand, and cuddle up close for bedtime. The other day you were in the bath and I was thinking about you, just the kind of person you are while I was in the hallway folding laundry and I thought to myself, “I don’t just love him. I really like him.” You’re just a good person and you are loved by so many. I mean that. They tell me so! I’m not sure how we lucked out enough to get you but I sure do thank God for you every day and I’ll do it forever. We love you so much and are so proud of the person you are. Happiest birthday to you. You’re a gift.

{Parker’s first birthday video–one of my favorites ever}