Happy birthday, Kaya

[From Kaya's early birthday party in Omaha, in July]

Kaya is six years old!  He had a great birthday.  He requested a sleepover party -- to which he was allowed to invite two friends, and so he chose two girls -- and then today he had his classroom party and family birthday dinner.  (What did he request for his birthday dinner, you might be wondering?  He asked for broccoli soup and green beans.  Seriously.  I love this kid.)  We had cake and presents after dinner, and he was genuinely surprised to see the presents on the table.  (It hadn't occurred to him that he would be getting more presents!  Seriously.  I love this kid.)

And so now he is six.  I have been having trouble adjusting to this fact, more trouble than I have had with any previous birthdays.  Six is an important birthday.  It means that he is no longer a little kid.  In my public health work, the focus is usually on children under five.  Once a kid hits six, they are not a young child anymore; they are a school-aged child.  It's a category that doesn't receive the special attention and care that the younger ones receive, presumably because these kids are older and don't need so much help anymore.

And indeed, Kaya is growing more independent every day.  I feel like I can see the shift happening before my eyes.  He is a big kid in so many ways, but -- thankfully for this mama -- still young enough to be a little boy, too.  He is a fluent reader, but he still loves being read to at bedtime (or anytime).  He has recently decided that boys and girls kissing is "gross," but he never objects to kisses from his mama.  I have to ask for hugs more often these days, but I still get wonderful hand-drawn cards with hearts and love on them.  He is still a kid, but I can see his childhood moving steadily forward, and I feel that I need to hold on to these years.

[The inside of a recent card, showing Kaya and Mama] 

As much as I want to stop time, the thing that makes it all okay is how much fun it is to watch Kaya grow and develop into his own quirky little person.  He is quick and curious, bright and sensitive, affectionate and often hilarious.  He wears his heart on his sleeve.  He is fiercely loyal, and he tries hard to be a good friend.  He is a good, often generous big brother.  He is our precious boy, adored by all of us.  I love this kid.

[Ninja cake made -- as per Kaya's request -- by Dad]

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Mama: So which do you like better, being five or six?

Kaya: Mama, I haven't experienced being six yet.

Mama: Oh, okay. But which do you think you'll like better?

Kaya: I don't know, but Daddy said last year that I can watch Transformers when I'm six!

Uh oh...