His room theme is loosely robots mixed with assorted tech. You know, technical machine stuff. Typical fodder for the son of an engineer who’s as math minded as he is.

We took some of G’s most intricate drawings and my husband scanned them onto his computer. With Photoshop, he let G’s creations come to life amid stock photo environments.

(If you use a Mac, an easier, cheaper program that does pretty much the same thing is Pixelmator).

We displayed them in floating, aluminum frames, which fit perfectly with the feel of his boyish room.

Kudos to my smart husband for creating such cool artwork that’s sentimental at the same time….keepsakes for sure.

(Taken last night, your last night being a 5-year-old)

In these six years I’ve loved watching you grow and grow….physically as you learned to crawl and walk, run and talk….but also in other ways. You’ve grown to be such a caring, loving, affectionate little boy, genuinely concerned for others. You’ve grown to develop a sense of humor that’s unparalleled, and you’ve perfected a contagious giggle and smile that can light up an entire room.

You’re fascinated and in love with everything about the God who created you, always asking questions about spiritual things. You’re quite the little speller, and you have definitely gained your Dad’s math abilities, surprising us just last week by showing us you can not only add, but multiply.

You are always, always full of joy, exuberant and giving. You love to lead others and do it with such charisma!

You have grown so, so much in the past six, wonderful years. We can’t wait to see where God takes you next, Little G!

Happy 6th Birthday, Gardner! We love you.

(Well, not really. But it seems like it.)

Now we have two children who are out of diapers and talking in full sentences. The full realization of how old they’re growing doesn’t hit us every day. Sometimes we are reminded as we browse old photos….or see jar baby food on sale at the grocery store.

The conversation usually goes a little something like this:

“Gee. Remember when G used to eat carrots? From a jar? And couldn’t drink cow’s milk yet? Or eat peanut butter? Or honey?”

“Yep. And we went through, like, eight diapers a day?”

“Uh huh. And we had to put rails up on the side of his bed to keep him from falling out? And baby gates at the stairwells?”

All of that seems eons away now….now that G can buckle himself into his own car seat, pour his own juice, dress himself, make his own bed, and answer our phones for us when our hands are busy elsewhere.

His chubby-handed scribbles have evolved into solitary drawing sessions that result in some very fine artwork:

He can prep his own toothbrush and scrub his own teeth with just a peek of supervision:

He can handle screwdrivers and wrenches with the best of ‘em:

And he can make his own lunch! (His PB&J sandwiches are not just food, I might add….they’re an art form:)

When G was a newborn, countless people told us how fast time would fly.

They weren’t kidding.

But it’s not entirely saddening. It’s an amazing, awesome process to behold. Little changes become big ones. Small steps soon become big leaps. And little boys become young men.

I’m so grateful and fortunate to have a prime-spot, front-and-center seat as God grows this little guy.

A writing and art assignment to write in and illustrate the kids’ family trees.

Leave it to G to turn any activity into a silly one!

Before long, he was giggling and laughing to the point of emitting language that was incomprehensible.

Looks like SOMEbody’s tickle box got turned over.

G giggling from Megret on Vimeo.

I couldn’t get firm. How could I? If homeschooling can’t allow for fun and laughter sometimes, what’s the point of choosing this path?

(Have I mentioned lately that I love what I get to do every day? :)

Let Me Call You Sweetheart from Megret on Vimeo.

I found a list of questions to ask on the 100th day of school. Gardner’s replies were worth sharing! (I love Q&As for kids like this.)

~ I wish I had 100…. “Pieces of gum!”
~ What would you do with 100 brothers and sisters? “I don’t want 100 sisters!”
~ What would you do with 100 kisses? “I would say, ‘I don’t want some!’” (So…we’re entering the “cootie” phase already?)
~ What would you do with 100 pennies? “I would put them in my bank.”
~ What would you do with 100 dollars? “Put them in the bank.”
~ What would you do with 100 slimy slugs? “I do not like them. I want to throw them in the trash dump!”
~ You have been in school for 100 days. What has been your favorite thing? “All of the school stuff! I don’t want to learn any more things cause I already know how to do everything.”
~ What will you do when you are 100 years old? “Play computer games.”
~ Things Mommy & Daddy have told us 100 times: “Put clothes on!” “I love you.” “Obey!”

Gardner and Rainey usually take turns being teacher and student….with it being a little heavy on G’s being the teacher. Yesterday morning after we’d completed our daily schoolwork, G had a different request.

“I’ll be the teacher, and you and Rainey will both be my students, Mommy.”

Of course I said yes. I couldn’t wait to see his chosen subject matter revealed.

Using a clipboard as his blackboard, he proceeded to give us safety lessons on the ins and outs of electricity-related safety. The lesson was simple, really, but we learned the main point he brought across (very effectively at that). It’s always important to rehearse the dangers of electric generators and the shock risk they carry. G chose to demonstrate it in simple diagram form.

I love to watch G’s scientific, analytic, and mechanical mind blossom. :)

He was utterly calm and collected this go around, seeing as he knew he didn’t have to repeat last year’s horrid “4 shots at 4″ episode, and he got his flu shot over with last week. This was going to be a piece of cake.

The exam was quick and then the list of our prepared questions began, and after about 10 minutes, G began to get a bit fidgety. So I did what I always do when we’re in public, he begins to wiggle and I need to concentrate: Give him my camera.

It’s always interesting to go back later and see what things he deems interesting and “photo-worthy.”

The lung/bronchial tube chart intrigued him….lots of questions emitted while waiting on the doctor to come in.

Ah. The enigmatic blood pressure gauge. He has both love for and fear of this device.

I’ve always hated this poster. Ew.

Smile, Dr. T.!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

And now Five.

How can you be so big? It seems like just yesterday when you were a teeny tiny bundle in my arms! (But as you already know….you remind me that I tell you this a lot….you will always be my baby boy.)

You are the most creative, sweetest, loving, and big-hearted boy on the planet, and I couldn’t be happier or prouder to be your Mom.

Happy birthday, G! We love you!