Roman is FIVE

Dear Roman,

This last year has been such a year of growth and I've seen you transform into such a big boy. I am so proud of the boy you are and I see changes each month. You continue to have a heart full of sweetness and love and are just full of goodness. You were so excited to turn 5 and this was the 1st year that you wanted to be involved in planning your birthday. From who you invited, what activities we did and of course, the theme, you were so excited for it all.    

This year you had your 1st real obsession, which was Iron Man. I still don't completely know how you became interested in him, I am guessing from someone at preschool but he was your favorite superhero and all you wanted to play with and talk about was Iron Man. Your Dad became very educated on all things Iron Man and was sure to find you all the little mini superhero Iron Man characters to play with. He even found some characters for Christmas on Ebay from China. Anything for his Roman. You have such an imagination and have always been someone who will go off and just pretend to be someone or something, which will entertain you for at least an hour. This year it was becoming Iron Man and blasting away all the villains with your lasers. Your sound effects have become quite impressive. One of my favorite memories was when you were having dinner with a bunch of your friends and you wanted to tell them all about Iron Man. You got into some of the real specifics of Iron Man and were so passionate about the details. They were a little lost, but you were so enthusiastic and were just thrilled that they were listening. 

You became so much more daring this past year. You were always pretty cautious about trying new things, but this year I saw you lose a lot of the fear and you were just ready to go. I was so impressed when we brought you skiing and you were full of excitement. All I have ever wanted was for you was to be happy and to see you excited to experience something new was an awesome feeling for a parent to witness. From preschool, swim team, soccer shots, karate, church and playdates I no longer had to worry that you were going to miss Mommy, but instead you were just happy to go. 

After 3 years, we said good-bye to My Gym. What a wonderful experience we had with this place, but I was starting to feel like you were ready for something new. We decided to try karate and I think it is great for building confidence and coordination. You are such a good listener and always follow instructions so well. You make me proud of your good manners. You were also so excited for Swim Team to begin. This was your 3rd year of the kermits program and you couldn't wait for Swim Team to begin. You had such confidence at your 1st swim meet and it took everything in me to not cry. I was so amazed by you and your happiness. You just jumped right in and made it across with a smile on your face. You have always loved the water.   

This year I also experienced the challenges of parenting when dealing with other kids. Something that I realized is not easy and my goal as a parent needs to be to build your confidence and help you to be able to be a good boy that makes good choices. Someone at your preschool hadn't been nice to you (and a lot of the other kids) and although it was so hard to see, it was a good teaching moment for me.  I tried to encourage you to be nice to everyone, but if someone wasn't nice you find someone else to play with. I hope that as you enter Kindergarten that you make some really nice friends that lift you up and appreciate the loving soul that you have. You have made some really nice friends at preschool and I can't wait to see what Kindergarten has in store for you. You continue to talk about Kindergarten and seem to be very excited to be going. I know it is going to be Great and that you are ready. You have started doing a little reading and my favorite part of working on it with you is after we finish a page you yell out, "I'M READING".

You are definitely a lefty and really are improving with your writing. It was great seeing the progress this past year in school. You have showed much more interest in drawing and art and love singing. "Let It Go" every child's favorite song from Frozen became your favorite too and I loved hearing you belt it out. I am thinking about having you start piano lessons since you seem to be attracted to music. We continue to work on your patience, which has always been your challenge. You always think Mommy talks too much (which is probably true), but you are learning to wait, but it can still be a struggle. This is something we will continue to work on.   

This past year you experienced the loss of your beloved Nana. The best way I was able to guide you thru this was just to be honest. You would see me crying and just want to give me love. Your compassion shined thru. Some nights I would wake up so sad and the only way to be comforted was to sneak into your bedroom and just lay with you. You were my reminder of all that is good in this world. You lifted me up and kept me going. We talk about missing Nana, that she is in heaven and will always be a part of us. You like talking about her and will bring her up all the time. Tonight we were sitting on the trampoline with blankets and pillows and you look up and say, "I wish Nana was still here." Then Paisley says, "Hi Nana. Hi God." I love the innocence and sweet genuine love that you have and I never know when you will bring her up. I hope that you always remember how much your Nana loved you and how much she just adored you. I love to tell you stories about her and I know she is so proud of the little man you have become. I still feel her strong presence around us and I know she is cheering you on at your swim meets. 

This next year will be such an adventure. I am so excited for you and all the fun that is to come. I want time to stop going by so fast, but it just keeps getting better. You are amazing. Your smile, hugs and sweetness kept me going. Love you!