FIVE

November 10, 2022

Dear Benen,

FIVE. Five feels big Benen bear, it feels like a rather large milestone in our time together. This past year there has been a lot of physical, mental and emotional growth and development for not only you, but me too. We're navigating all that together and this time feels both important and precious.

This year for your birthday we invited your entire kindergarten class plus some to the skating rink and celebrated the amazing five year old that you are. For some of your friends it was the first time on the ice, and you excitedly showed them the ropes wearing your favourite hockey jersey. As we squished into the heated dressing room for snacks and cake I took a moment to glance around as you blew out the candle on your Mario Kart cake, at all the shining faces there to celebrate your life-- humbling really. Instead of gifts this year you asked for toonies and with the money from your friends you picked out and independently paid for a really cool Mario Kart hot wheels track from Toys R Us. The track takes up a good chunk of our living room, but we've been having a blast racing those beloved characters.

You are such a smart cookie, always impressing me with random facts, and thoughtful and curious questions about life. In this past year we read the entire Roald Dahl box set, your favourites being the BFG and Charlie and the chocolate factory. You're mostly loving Kindergarten, the beginning of the school year was a bit dicey. The transition was BIG and looking back to those initial few months it was a hard transition for all of us. There were big emotions all around, but we did our best, made it through and learned a lot. Through it all though the constant unwavering feedback I got and continue to get from your teacher, peers and anyone that has the honor to meet you, is that you are the MOST kind, empathetic and genuine person.

You took a strong love for baseball this past season and commiserate with GG about the status of how the beloved Blue Jays are doing. Vladdy jr. has your heart and you practice your swing in front of the T.V while he's up to bat. Once ball season and summer were in the rear view mirror you started little Rascals hockey, and once you gained some skating confidence, it is evident that love for hockey also flows through your veins. You've met some great friends already through these endeavours and you've formed a genuine connection with your coach who is nothing short of amazing. Goodness, I love watching you learn, practice, improve and be passionate about things.

My Boy, you've started to show your competitive side and love a good game of UNO, at this point I feel like I could play UNO in my sleep but I love connecting with you over a good game of cards. You are the king of jokes, providing serious dinner table entertainment. Often times you're laughing so hard you can barely make it to the punch line. I love being spontaneously cracked up by you. Your sister is imitating you too, although her jokes currently make us scrunch up our shoulders and say "whhhhhaaat?". You're such strong leader, teaching Charlie so many things (good, and less than), and while the two of you have formed a fierce sense of friendship in your sibling hood you also like to instigate and squabble in true older sibling fashion. I'm excited to watch you adapt to become a big brother again in a couple short months. You're going to be the best "big, big brother" as you like you say, because you already have such pride in this brother role. You're strongly hoping for a little brother to love, but if its another little sis that joins us I know you're going to fiercely love her too.

Oh Benen bear, I cant wait to continue to watch you grow and get to know you more. Thank you for continuing to teach me more about life and love, but most of all, thank you for choosing me to be your mom.

Love you forever,

Love Mom