Dylan is 6!

I like to always give a little look into what my little guys are like as they start a new year of life so that I can look back and truly appreciate how they've blossomed over the last year. So, here are some interesting things about my now 6 year old, Dylan. He's had a really big year.

Dylan The Skeleton Pirate With Captain Jack Cade

Dylan completed his last year of preschool. While we technically could have sent him to kindergarten last year, it's much more common in our area for mid to late summer birthdays to opt into waiting until they are 6. Of course, we had to make the decision in March of last year. At that point, I could not even imagine Dylan being anywhere close to ready for kindergarten. He was a really reserved little wallflower that had zero interest in "desk work." Come September, he had changed quite a bit and probably could have been pushed to go.

However, a year later, I am really glad we waited because there's not a question in my mind that he's going to be an awesome kindergarten-er! His interest in identifying letters, numbers and words has skyrocketed. He likes to (pretend to) read and is always asking what words are on tv, in books or when we're out and about. He is primed and ready for reading. Counting has become his new favorite thing. There is definitely something that clicked in the last few months in regards to numbers and I can see the gears turning and working on another level.

He also takes an interest in maps...whether it be GPS in the car or a treasure map.

And socially, he is not the wallflower he used to be. Whereas his preschool teacher for his 3 and 4 year old years always said he never spoke in class, his teacher for his 5 year old year commented that he was often the group leader and was very social with his group of friends. And outside of school, he's much less likely to hide behind my legs when someone speaks to him in public. As for his peers, he is enjoying a lot more playdates, both drop off at friends' houses and hosting at our house.

Dylan With Pal Libby

On the physical front, he's advanced a lot. At his 6 year check up, he weighed 50 pounds (average) and is 48" (which is the height of the average 7 year old). Needless to say, it's still obvious he did not get my height genes!

While we can't for the life of us get him interested in riding a bike (he's always hating pedaling), he is a pro on his scooter! His balance and control are great and he does some impressive tricks. All that balance improvement also set him in motion for a great ski season. He quickly advanced from the magic carpet lift to the chair lift. He needs more control and confidence before moving off the bunny hills but we are excited to see where his 6 year old winter takes him.

Scooter Boy

Walking in Snowshoes With Ease

My Little Skiier

Between swim lessons and playing at the pool in NH with us, his confidence in water has soared! Just this week, with the introduction of goggles, he was putting his head under water (which he's been VERY resistant to) and grabbing rings in water 2-3 feet deep. He's not an independent swimmer yet but he's getting there. And, he even gave snorkeling a try on our St. John trip!

Me and Dylan Searching For Fish in St. John

Fine motor skill dexterity has never been his forte. But, he has advanced from preferring to put together only duplo blocks to putting together the smaller legos. We were extremely impressed with him on his birthday when he opened the complex instructions on his new lego sets and flew through them with little to no intervention. BIG change!

Dylan With Skeleton Made Out of Legos

We made a really big deal around his birthday to point out all kinds of stuff he can do now that he's older. He got very excited about that concept and decided to venture out and push himself to do some new things. He's learned how to refill his own water (not an easy feat to open the door of our sub zero fridge) and he's also recently taken and interest in photography. Mike taught him how to use one of our older cameras and he's been taking pictures everywhere we go. He's very excited to talk about them and show them to us once they've been uploaded.

In the last couple of months, his interest in board games has skyrocketed. Candyland has been a favorite for a while but he enjoyed playing a "Camp" game we got for the NH place. For his birthday, one of his friends gave him a couple more games and he's been playing them non stop! He even does a great job playing the banker on Monopoly Jr.

Dylan is an amazing big brother. He says that Cade is his best friend and he's usually happiest when Cade goes to activities with him. He is very sweet and caring with Cade and helps him when possible. As with all siblings, it's not all sunshine and roses but these two are definitely having fun together the vast majority of the time.

Brothers

Hiking Brothers

Dylan has really blossomed over the last year. He's always been an observant, inquisitive guy, but those qualities have really matured along with his age and I'm in awe at some of the things this kid comes up with. His imagination is wonderful. He's constantly building "sets" all over the house with intricate stories and contraptions to them. While he's skills at cleaning and picking up have improved, I don't have the heart to make him break down his creations on a regular basis. That's my way of saying, my house is always a mess! But a messy house is one where fun is being had. And we are so lucky to be the parents of such a fun boy. Welcome to being 6, Dylan!