Dear Eli,
I made you half a birthday cake today for your half birthday. I made a triple layer white cake with green frosting between one layer, red frosting between another, and white frosting on top with Christmas sprinkles. I put 6 1/2 candles on top. I cut the cake in half right down the middle and served it on a big plate. You had no idea what was happening because we've never done this before in our family, but you loved the attention. All of your cousins were there to sing "Happy Half Birthday to You!"
You are such a good big brother. You love playing with Oliver and Isaac and almost always include them in your games. You love being the one to get Isaac out of his crib and change his diaper in the morning. Sometimes you like to take on the role of "daddy" and do everything for Isaac like get his apple juice when he wakes up, dress him for the day, and make sure he has his "soft bwantie and piddy" at all times. It is so cute. I try to always encourage this and remind him of how much help I'm going to need with the new baby when he arrives. You seem really excited about these
You are really struggling lately with accepting "no" as an answer. When you want something, you REALLY want it and you'll try anything to get us to change our minds. I try to not give into your whining and begging, but it's hard sometimes because you are an incredibly persistent child! You have some of the strongest wills I've ever seen! I've been trying to compliment you whenever you do say "okay" when we tell you "no." Hopefully this will be something that you will get better at as you grow.
I have really tried cracking down on your eating the past month or so because it's ridiculous that you're 6 1/2 years and there are sooooo many foods that you don't like (or think you don't like). You have an extreme fear of trying anything new, unlike anything I've ever seen. I've been really consistent with making you try one bite of a new food at dinner each night. These showdowns are usually extremely stressful and one of us, if not both of us, are usually in tears. I've tried explaining to you that I'm trying to help you be a good human. I've told you that when you're a grown up, you can't be eating only a handful of foods. People will think you're weird and your life will be limited by your extreme pickiness. I've explained that I'm not trying to be a mean mom but that I'm trying to do what's right. I think you understand all of this logically but you can't get it to translate when it's actually time to try the food. You cry and usually spit it out and tell me how much you hated it, even if it was a totally bland, normal food like white rice. I'm going to keep persisting with this until I see you make some progress!
You continue to have a love for outer space and science. You love watching videos on YouTube about your interests and reading all you can too.You're really into the street view of Google Maps lately. You love going on the computer, finding our house, and navigating the streets as if you were driving the neighborhood. You'll navigate to your elementary school, Grandma Janie's house, the grocery store, etc. You have always had a great sense of direction and this hobby is making it even better.
We've started reading the Book of Mormon as a family this year before you and your brothers go to bed as part of your bedtime routine. I was clipping your nails and toenails the other day and was just making conversation with you while I did it. I asked you what your favorite book was and while he was thinking for a minute I said, “Like if I came to your classroom to read a book to your classmates for your birthday, what book would you want me to read?” Your face lit up and you said, “The Book of Mormon!” It made me so happy.
A few nights ago, you were in big trouble for grabbing Isaac and shaking him violently so we put you to bed without letting you do the bedtime routine with the rest of us. I came into your room to get something awhile later and you asked me, “Did you read the Book of Mormon without me?!” When I answered yes, you started sobbing. Huge tears were rolling down your face and you were yelling, “Don't read the Book of Mormon without me!” I was really touched that it meant so much to you. I believe that you are feeling the spirit while we read the book.
You are a happy little boy, full of life and personality. You love to be silly, laugh, rough-house, and play. You absolutely looooove to snuggle. You use it as a stalling technique at bedtime most of the time, but whenever I give in and crawl into bed with you, a huge grin spreads across your face and you make this little noise of satisfaction. It’s my favorite. I should snuggle with you more, but by the end of the day, I’m usually so "done" by that point that dragging out your bedtime routine even longer is that last thing I want to do!
I love and adore you, my sweet son. Keep being you.
Love,
Mommy
6 1/2 Year Stats:
Height: 47 3/4 in (67th percentile)
Weight: 54 lbs (76th percentile)
