What does 6 Look Like?

Every year John and I say it is our favorite age of the boys.  We have loved having two five year olds and all of the amazing things they can do as five year olds.  To be honest, I have been a bit sad about the upcoming number six.  Not because of any premonition I have about the age, but because it is happening.  They are growing up fast, just like people said they would. 

We were fortunate enough to get to go camping at our friends place, with a couple of other families, for Emerson's 6th birthday.  It was wonderful to say the least.  Lots of open space, freedom to climb trees, kayaks to play in, bow and arrows to shoot, campfires to be lit, and of course an abundance of love for the kids and grown ups. 

One of the comments we get most frequently about Emerson is "boy, that kid has a lot of energy!"  Some mean it lovingly and with a bit of envy in their voice.  Some are overwhelmed by his intensity or quite honestly put off by it.  There is a part of me that wants to teach the world about sensory processing issues, and the effects of early childhood neglect on hyper vigilant behavior in surviving kids.  I do often find myself explaining that he as a 1.7 lb baby and his intensity and tenacity are inborn traits in him that make up the very reason he is here.  The question that usually comes up then is "will he grow out of 'this.'"  The answer is, I don't know. 

What I do know is that Emerson has a drive like no person I have ever met before.  He does everything with passion and intensity.  For now, this is who he is, and I am so thankful that we get to be his parents and help him choose good paths to exert his energy. 

The other huge thing is that this is the first year I have managed to make it through reading On the Day You Were Born with him and not bawl my eyes out.  John and I truly did do a dance and breathed a sigh of relief when we signed up to adopt on the day he was born.  We didn't know why for 6.5 more months, but we knew then, that we were so happy he had made it to this world.