High 5 - Happy 5th Birthday Mason

Where do I even begin - how is it that we've reached 5, that kindergarten enrolments have been filed, that you have started junior league and been invited to your first birthday party? How is it that I haven't changed a dirty nappy in a year, that you now dress yourself and happily sing yourself to sleep without a night light? 

Perhaps the very notion of the past few years were caught up in the whirlwind you create with your busy little mind and body every day. You aren't my baby boy anymore - you are a smart, confident, cheeky, brave and boisterous boy.

This year you trotted off to pre-school without a care in the world. "See ya later mum" you called as you proudly walked on in. Apparently you cope much better with sitting still, listening and learning at school than you do at home, but that doesn't really surprise me.

We spent a lot of time together late in 2021 due to shut downs and isolations, I'm still so thankful for that time with you. While I may have found it overwhelming at times, the moments where we could set aside work and focus on fun with you were my favourite of the entire past year. Playing outside and laughing with you are the highlights of my days.

You are very clever. You know your letters and numbers and spend a lot of time still "reading" books.   

You are spending more and more time playing with Zoe which is really nice. You and Zoe are so similar, you love to make believe and play little games with toys. You are both strong voices in this house, demanding things are fair and equal. You always have a go at doing things yourself before asking for help and I really admire that in you. You love to go to the skate park on your bike or scooter and you are desperate for a skateboard next. 

You are social in every sense of the word, preferring the company of others over time alone and your cuddles could heal the world. 

Did I mention already that you are busy. GO GO GO GO GO all the time.  Sitting still takes concentration and being patient is so hard for you. You got your glasses early in 2022, and your Dad and I still can't believe how blind you were without them! When you first put them on, the big smile and excited exclamation "I can see really good now mum" was just so beautiful. You've been a rockstar about taking care of them, making sure they are always clean and out in their case when you're not using them. 

You still reach for my hand at every chance you get and love to sit all over me. I'm starting to forget how fragile you were 5 years ago, I'm starting to miss those moments of you as a baby and while I am so proud of how you are growing up I ache for you to stay this sweet and little for longer.

  

Halloween 2021 was a big highlight for you

   

Mason at 5:

• you are: 112cm tall
• you weigh 18.9 kilo
• you still have all your baby teeth, 
• you love: playing soccer or football in the front yard with Jackson (our neighbour), being the winner, going to pre school and the song "old man emu" by John Williamson
• your favourite food is: hot chips and sauce. 
• your best friend is Carter, but you've made some good friends at school (Jaxson, Mohommed)
• you hate: Showers, not being able to do what Cooper or Zoe are doing.
• you love to say "is that right mum" whenever you state something you think is right. The funniest thing you came out with this year was when Carter said he had a "broken heart because he was blind" you replied with "no, when you're blind you can't smell" 
• biggest event this year - spending a whole week with just Oma and Poppy at Forster doing a few fun camping trips, jumping of the Pier into the water by the lake and getting reading glasses.

Getting your glasses for the first time