Six...

Well, I'm six years old now. Mom and Dad say they can hardly believe how quickly time has flown by. Actually, I've been keeping this blog since I was about 9-10 months old so even my blog is getting older, too.

I had many birthday celebrations - my friend party, my extended family party, a small celebration at school, a celebration on Thanksgiving with my family, and a little dinner with just the five of us at home on my actual birthday. It's kind of odd to not have a celebration planned for me this week! (That's okay because we celebrated Dad's birthday this week and next week we celebrate Mom's. Lots of birthdays this time of year.)

List of some of my favorites:

- Favorite superhero: Captain America (I also like the old school Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, especially Leonardo)
- Favorite food: pizza and stone soup
- Favorite dessert: unfrosted sugar cookies (this is what we had at all my gatherings)
- Favorite color: green
- Favorite number: 3
- Favorite book: Darth Vader and Son
- Favorite activity: playing (mostly Legos) and drawing; especially pretend play
- Favorite show: Johnny Quest, Ninja Turtles (from the 1980s)
- Favorite Movies: Cloud with a Chance of Meatballs,  Hotel Transylvania

 A few other things:
- I love school. I don't have homework. My teacher asked Mom and Dad to stop working with me so she would have some things to "teach" me. Still, I make up homework assignments to do at home. I LOVE school and LOVE my teacher and all her assistants. Recess is my favorite but I also like music class and computer time. I have not yet missed a day of school.
- I started a "fighting off crime team" at school. I am their leader. Mostly, made up of the few boys in my class. We chase "villains" during recess.
- I have a girlfriend. Her name is Bella. We play together during recess or before school and sit together during recess. I like her short yellow hair and that she's very nice to me.
- I very much enjoy my two days at JFK (after school program). It is somewhat of an extension of kindergarten with learning stations, activities, and recess. If Mom picks me up early I get grumpy with her and tell her to come back later. I don't like to miss my activities.
 - I learned to swim this past summer. I went from not being able to swim at all to independence and full reign in any pool at the YMCA.
- I still wear glasses. Next year I may need eye surgery. We'll find out in January. My dominant eye is patched for 30-60 minutes per day.
- Next year may also bring umbilical hernia surgery as it has not shrunk in size. We find out in a month if I need it corrected.
- My asthma is significantly improved. Mostly just with colds now. Eczema is completely resolved.
- I am still allergic to peanuts. 
- For some reason I'm really into cyclops monsters right now.
- I am not very opinionated about what I wear but I am going through a sweater phase and want to stay warm.
- I still have all my baby teeth and have never had a cavity.
- I still take naps about 60-75% of the time. (I like that when I do nap I get to stay up and watch an old Star Trek with Dad)
- When I grow up I want to be either an inventor superhero or a veterinarian farmer.

This past week I had my 6 year wellness visit. Here are my stats from that visit:

Weight: 42.65 lbs (35%)

Height: 44 inches (25%)

Blood pressure: 100/62 (normal)

The height is somewhat skewed as I have been on inhaled steroids for a significant part of my life so my growth velocity is slower. I'll catch up later in life but should achieve my anticipated height. Overall, I've been healthy this year but next year may bring a couple of possible surgeries which none of us are excited about. Maybe we'll avoid it, though.

For now, I'm a happy kid and just have great zest for life.

From Mom and Dad:

To our little guy - we love you so very much. You are our old soul and touchstone. We are so grateful you came along and made us parents. You make us smile every day and give the best snuggles ever. We are so proud of you and the person you are growing into. Thank you for being you.