The Summer of 5 (years old)

Dear Abe,
This is long overdue, but sorry, we've been busy. With ... you know ... summer. You guys have been busy playing, swimming, running, swinging, zipping, screaming, eating, fighting, and zipping. And I have failed on documenting all of these things in a timely manner. (Some are more worthy of documenting than others).

About to take flight.

It did not take long after your swing set was assembled for you boys your father to put a Drlich touch on it. Enter: The Joker's Playhouse. This is the new name for your swing set (complete with graffiti displays of the Joker, the Batman symbol, and you and your brother's names). Then, came the zipline, which thankfully is pretty safe. Imagine my surprise when I came home from work to this new addition to our house! I was also informed the backyard is called "The Carnival of Souls" now. I can only imagine what it will do for resale.

This summer you and Sam are playing together more than ever before. This is both a plus and a minus. It's a plus because you have a buddy to play with you, and you like ALL of the same things. Batman, Ninjago, the Avengers. It's a minus when you spend too much time together and Sam starts to annoy you. That's also a big minus for me, because you start fighting, then screaming, then crying, and I just want to bang my head against a wall.

But, I gotta tell you, nothing makes me happier than seeing the two of you together. Getting along. Without hitting.

I mean. look. at. that.

Because, the truth is, Sam thinks you are the bees knees. He wants to do whatever you are doing, and he wants to be next to you 24 hours a day. And, I think you know that too. But you are five, and your brother is three, and he can be annoying sometimes. And sometimes, you really just want to be alone. I get it dude.

You continue to marvel me with the way your brain works, and the things that you understand. I think you think differently than most people, and I hope that never changes. We were watching a cartoon the other day, and you looked at your Daddy and mentioned that one of the characters, "hasn't realized his full potential yet."

You are contemplating something at Eagle Creek Park.

You also have been pushing your limits with your language (like you always have), and try to get the words "crap," "sucks," or "Oh my God" into as many sentences as possible. Which of course gets you in trouble every time (Nevermind that your brother says "Oh Shit" at school. I guess we have raised some real potty mouths).

Last Sunday we went to church and I told you I would get you a donut for coming with me. So, we get in line at a Dunkin Donuts drive thru, right behind a minivan with those family stickers on the back window. You know, the ones with the white stick people designated for each member of the family. This one had a mom, a dad, three kids, and a cat and a dog. Pretty obnoxious if you ask me (in fact, I HATE those stickers. I don't know why, and I am sorry if anyone has them and I am offending them.)

We had been waiting for a really long time (like 15 minutes in a drive thru long time) and I couldn't get out because I was stuck between two cars, and staring at this obnoxious family sticker (the mom apparently cooks, the Dad grills, and one of the kids plays soccer, FYI) on the back of the minivan who had been at the order speaker this entire time. It had been silent in our car, and finally you said, "Ugh!!! I wish I could erase one of those people from the back of that van. This is really pissing me off."

And, even though that was super inappropriate, those were my sentiments exactly.

This summer you have discovered ribs and swimming underwater, and like both immensely. I think you are pretty prepared for Kindergarten, although you say you are nervous about going because you are "shy." If you ask me, you haven't fully realized your potential yet.

Stop growing up so fast. It is really pissing me off.

Time flying by.

Love,
Mama