The 6th Birthday

I took this picture last night right before bed. The very last night Luke was a five year old. Five has been a great age . . . most of the time. He has learned so much this year. It blows my mind to think how he's matured in a year. He's reading like a champ now and gaining confidence and independence. What a year!






Mrs. W had the birthday crown waiting when he arrived this morning. He asked me to stay and hear his birthday announced in the morning announcements.




Back at school for cupcakes at lunch. The icing was a real situation for all of them. Thank goodness I stuck a big package of wipes in my purse. Next year I'm taking cookies.

Lunch was fun, and an experience as always. There is always politicking regarding where everyone sits. And Luke is very opinionated about who he wants to sit by. It's one of our biggest remaining challenges. He holds on to some rigidity with always following and sitting with the same people, in every situation. Mrs. W is a pro at keeping them separated in the classroom. But free times like lunch and recess, he's on their heels. And this is a real challenge when those selected friends aren't always excited to have them with him.

Anyway, so after school it was present time. (Because giving this boy a new Wii game before walking out the door for school would be pure torture.)


Ready for some presents.

Mario Party 8. A little excited. So far it's a big hit. He is really back into the Mario gang.

Some Fly Guy books. He got Buzz Boy and Fly Guy at the school book fair in December. It's a bedtime favorite, full of hilarious kindergarten humor. And he does a great job reading it all by himself. He got three more books in the series.

And an awkward pose with his new Buzz Lightyear lunchbox. He is actually excited about it. He even decided to deviate from the week's schedule and take his lunch tomorrow, rather than buying as planned, in order to use the new tote. But then it started snowing and . . . NO SCHOOL tomorrow! Guess he'll be sporting the new lunchbox on Monday.

I've thought about this six birthday post for a while (because I'm a complete nerd that thinks about my blog ponderings in advance sometimes). I thought I might recount my emotions at each of Luke's birthday, particularly ages 2 and 3 when the autism fog was thick and I was so weary. And perhaps I would write about what I thought my life would like as Luke turned six, and the reality of the present.

But in the last few weeks, as a dear friend received some life changing news, I find I just want to say that six years ago we received a most precious gift. And I thankful for every single moment with him. Even the days of unending frustration and the times of fear were a gift because I get to be a part of the story of Luke's life. And by the grace of God, I think it will be a pretty amazing story.