Our little Walker is six years old. I can honestly say that I think I've felt and experienced every single minute of those six years. He has been my little sidekick for six years...but now, he's starting to separate a bit. He still likes me, but he is definitely interested in playing with his neighborhood friends and watching sports and will happily leave me in the dust. He doesn't "need" me as much, it seems. He used to be so loving and always telling me how much he loved me...but now, not so much. I think I'm okay with that, though. Of course, he has his affectionate moments, and I cherish those, but he's growing up. And that's okay. I understand. And I support it. Walker...just don't leave me too far behind. ;) AND! While we're on the subject of growing up, know what made me sad today? Walking through the toy aisle at WalMart and having the sudden realization that neither of my kids really enjoys "toys" anymore. Lainey is more likely to play with toys than Walker (she loves her dolls, her Barbies, her stuffed animals) but truthfully, I can't just walk down the aisle and find 100 gift ideas anymore. They are just getting big. :(
Walker opened his gifts before school. It was early. But fun. Talk about motivation to get out of bed... ;)
(Bright flash!)
All football. With the exception of a basketball and (mini) basketball hoop that we put on the back patio. He was so happy. A few days before his birthday, he had asked me if I had gotten him football things for his birthday. When I said "yes" he said, "Thank you. I love you." Football is the way to this boy's heart.
Lainey is a sweet helper. :) Walker loves her. Except when she "sheds." (Lainey has a lot of hair. Walker doesn't like it when it gets on him.) Thankfully, they get along really well most of the time. They rarely argue or fight. I think it's because their personalities are different and they react so differently to situations. They make a good team. They both freak out about different things; rarely do they have the same reaction to any given problem, plan, or situation. Walker continues to harass Lainey on a daily basis and he loves to punch her little bottom. (I know, that's weird that I'm writing this, but he does!) Thankfully she is so laid back that she doesn't really mind at all. She's a sweetheart. And she's patient. And tolerant. :)
Walker is a really, really strong reader and speller. I'm not sure why or how this happened. But it did. Because of this, he's been given some reading homework to go along with his nightly guided reading book. While yes, he gets overwhelmed with the amount of pages he has to read (Lainey is the same way...they both freak themselves out) he tackles it head-on. He gets determined to finish chapters even when we encourage him to stop. Lainey is the exact opposite. That child. She's a different story when it comes to homework. But I think Walker knows that he has to do it, and he wants to get it done. This is a good quality (the motivation part) and a bad quality (the tendency to rush through assignments). He LOVES to read his Junie B. Jones books (he will even pick them up and read them during his free time) and he also likes to draw.
Early morning birthday smiles. Sorta. :)
His birthday gifts! The only things missing are the basketball hoop (in the backyard) and the iPad Mini that he received from Emmy and Tuck! :) Thankfully, Walker will drop his iPad in a heartbeat if it means he can go outside and play football (or basketball) with friends. I am thankful that he's turned into a kid who loves to be outside. It's so good for the body and mind.
This kid is also developing a funny sense of humor. His responses to things are funny...for example, we went to the grocery store the other day and spent way too much money (sometimes that happens) and while Ben and I were lamenting about that fact, Walker said, "That's not my money. None of that stuff was for me. I didn't waste it." Ha! That actually made us laugh out loud.
Footballs. Walker talks to me about football...all the time. I don't understand half of it. He recently called me out for not paying close enough attention to him at his practice...he said, "That's allowed." I replied with "what's allowed?" He said, "You have to watch your son play football." Ok. Point taken. :) I'm trying really hard to pay attention to his football practices and his flag football games!
On Walker's actual birthday, he wanted to play outside with the "big boys" and have football cookies. So that's what we did. :) He has such a sweet tooth. Like his mama, and his sister... And he would love to eat Earth's Best Baked Chicken "Nuggies" for lunch and dinner every single day. He LOVES them. And yes, he refers to chicken nuggets as "nuggies." :)
He loves, loves, loves this sport. He loves to watch football on TV. He actually likes to watch all sports...he chooses that over regular TV shows these days. I think he enjoys football the most, followed closely by basketball.
Pure joy. He is his absolute happiest with these kids...the "big boys." :)
David (left) is amazing. He's so kind and supportive of Walker. He looks out for him. And Walker adores him. The boys like to draw out their football "plays." Walker got a football playboard for his birthday; he loves it! All the boys do.
Walker has a tendency to be very, very hard on himself. If he catches nine out of ten balls, he will focus on the one that he missed. He will call himself "horrible" and he will cry and get really frustrated. We're working on this, trust me! He takes things (like his performance) very seriously. This will serve him well in life, at some point. Just maybe not while he's in Kindergarten.
Delicious, amazing football cookies. YUM.
Reagan continues to try to escape. Every single day. Ben chased her down the street. I'm pretty sure she was searching for another family...one without kids...
***
A summary of his 6 years...in pictures. :)
four days old
1 year old
2 years old
(2 years old again)
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old
6 years old
My sweet boy is SIX years old! We love you, Walker. So much. Your intense personality, your sensitive heart (you still cry when you leave playdates with friends that you love...Evan and Kasen, most recently). You are going to do big things in life, Walker. I'm not sure what. But they will be big. :) You're determined, stubborn, smart, and funny. You are awesome. And we are blessed to be your parents. :)
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