Holdy, oh Holdy. You are five years old today. The most stylish, silliest, songful five year old I know. “Precocious” doesn’t even come close to describing you.
You are graduating from Pre-K this week. This year has been such a fundamental year for your growth and development and you’re really thriving at school.
Your teachers at York Day Nursery are Miss Sarah, Miss Kristy, Miss Evelyn and Mr. Cody. You love your friends and there’s not a day we walk into you classroom that at least one kid doesn’t yell your name and come running for a hug. We rocked the “100 Book Challenge” this year, reading more than 400 books.
You’ll be starting Kindergarten at York Academy in the fall, after spending your summer at the YMCA’s Camp Spirit. You were so excited to get accepted into York Academy that you wore a uniform to Pre-K the rest of the week after the lottery.
I’m hoping that excitement continues into the fall and that the uniform doesn’t cramp your unique sense of personal style too much.
Kid, you’re pretty much a style icon. Your outfits of the day are always outrageous but you rock them with pride. I even bought the URL www.whatholdywore.com to go with your #whatholdywore hashtag. As soon as you’re old enough to start using the internet, let’s figure out how to make you an Instagram star so I can retire.
You asked me the other day if I want you to be a “superstar” when you grow up. You may not realize it now, but you already are.
You’d rather sing than talk. I’m thinking some vocal lessons may be in your future.
You love to make art and your favorite thing to draw (and wear) is rainbows.
Rainbows everywhere.
You insist I paint your fingernails “a rainbow,” using a different color for each nail. We just started experimenting with fun hair colors.
Hair dye, nail polish, kindergarten. You are growing up so fast.
This was a challenging year for us. Last summer, you were officially diagnosed as having ADHD and ODD and we’ve spent this year, along with your teachers, finding ways to support you as you learn and grow. We all love you and want to make sure you have all the tools possible to help you develop into the amazing human we know you’re going to be.
This year we also had a new addition to our family: our 130-lb puppy, Brutus. Oh man, you guys are so cute together. As in most aspects of your life, you’re fearless around him and quickly showed him who’s boss.
Your best friend continues to be your brother.
You guys share a bed at night because you “keep him safe.” You guys also fight like cats and dogs and drive me crazy on a nightly basis. But every morning, you hug him goodbye at school and blow him kisses through his classroom window. You’re sweet like that.
You asked for a “pink sparkly” desk for your birthday and of course I obliged.
Today you are responding to everyone who wishes you a Happy Birthday by saying, “and Happy Unbirthday to you.” You’re also giving everyone high 5’s because you’re five. Nanny is going to come to school and take you out to lunch today–will you choose McDonald’s or pancakes?
Tonight, we’re going to make bath fizzies at Sunrise Soap Company with your brother and cousins, followed by Rainbow PB&J’s and Rainbow Cake (which you and your brother “helped” make) at the Pretzel Shop.
You’re going to have an amazing summer, Buddy, and an amazing first year of Kindergarten. I’m so proud, thrilled and honored to watch you grow. Your joy is infectious and you’re so fun to be around, even when you’re making me nuts. Reach for the rainbows, Kid. We love you. Happy Birthday.