Now what.
I was all set to write Atti's 6-year birthday post, until I logged into blogger and saw that I stopped writing for Thad after 5.
But now what do I do with all the feelings? I've been writing some sort of post related to pregnancy or kids for... 9.5 years now.
I guess that's what I have therapy for, but... words are easier.
Reading through last year's post, I realized not much has changed with the boys. Overall family update would be that we moved back to Kansas. We've settled into our new routine here, with the boys being in 3rd grade and kindergarten. Michael's set at his new job, still doing the teaching the grad students thing. We're very glad to be back closer to family and friends who can help out with the boys. We're doing the sports thing. (Both kids love them. Neither are aggressive or overly competitive.)
Atti is six today. He has been SO excited for his birthday. Their school offers the chance to go eat with your kid, so I'm taking him McDonalds for lunch, dropping off mini cupcakes for his class... we don't do birthday parties with classmates and such, just do stuff as a family. His request was mini golf with Aunt Sarah, Uncle Shawn, and Uncle Craig... so that's what we're doing. In-between basketball games.
He is still a little lovebug. He can play independently, but much prefers to be playing with someone else. When you're sitting with him on the couch, he would like to be sitting RIGHT next to you. He tells stories that go on and on in every which direction. But he also has the sweetest heart, and does not like the possibility that someone is mad at him. A people pleaser in the most real way. And forget him thinking he's been left alone (you leave a toddler in a car in a garage for 15 seconds ONE TIME). He doesn't like loud noises, thunderstorms, or the dark. But he will gladly cuddle with you any time. And talk your ear off about almost any subject. Thankfully, he sleeps better than he did for the first 3 years of his life.
He still doesn't like vegetables though. Or most meat. He does like sports, video games, playing action figures.
Thad and Atti are so very different, but similar. If that makes any sense.
Atti wears his heart on his sleeve, all the emotions front and center.
Thad feels all the same emotions, but prefers to keep the sad and mad inside. If you see them come out, you know it's a big deal. I've always said Thad is an old soul, and I think that's still the case. He's a very responsible kid, in that I can trust him to do basically anything I ask. For example, I know if I were to have a seizure when I was alone with he and Atti, he would be able to do what he knows he's supposed to do. He keeps his room fairly clean, makes his bed every morning, for the most part puts his clothes and coats where they should go. He doesn't like getting in trouble, either. Very analytical. But still a soft heart. It's especially hard to see him upset. Thad will also talk your ear off about things he's interested in, can tend to get fixated on them. He just wants to share his love of something with other people. His teacher said that she's never had a student completely walk through their train of thought with things before like he does. He's for sure getting older, but still likes to sit close, and likes to cuddle with us at bedtime. He loves reading, video games, board/card games, sports (soccer and basketball especially).
He also really loves telling jokes with puns.
They're both growing at an alarming rate. I measured Atti at 3'10" tonight. Thad has to be close to 4'8"? All I know is when I hug him he comes up to the middle of my chest. Give him another 5 years he'll probably be the tallest in the house.
They're also both, like, legitimately funny. It's hard, because you know your kids are real people, but... seeing them turn into actual people is weird. Knowing that their innocence is slowly wearing off... it's hard.
I don't really know how to end this. It is all just a random conglomeration of words anyway. The kids are getting bigger. They amaze me. It's both so fun and so hard to watch them grow up. 9 & 6.
9 & 6.