Drewski's 5!!

Sometimes it is easy for me to look at Drew and know he's five, other times I see the happy baby and can't believe it. Five years ago today, my little Drewski was born, we named him after a very close friend that we had lost so there is something even more special about him and his start in life. It was a happy time, we lived in our little blue house, my mom hadn't yet been diagnosed with cancer, and I was fairly acclimated to staying home with Jon. He's always been a content, happy kid, from day one. He nursed well, slept well, played well and was a healthy as can be, still is. I've always joked that he is a bit like Santa Claus, generally always happy and with a big grin on his face, even when he's in trouble. I've heard on more than one occasion, "How do you discipline him, he would make me laugh too much." I can assure you, he gets disciplined with or without the grin, but sometimes it is like giving a lecture to Santa and on more than one occasion I have had to leave the room before I talked to him, not because I am mad but because my laughter would kind of kill the impact of my delivery.

I sometimes feel bad because so much of his little life was bouncing between our house and my mom's because of her treatments. But he was the perfect child to have during that time because he was content, no matter where he was and he brought a LOT of joy.

I feel like he's grown so much faster than Jon, not just physically, but since he and Jon are fairly close in age, he bypassed a lot of the baby stuff and moved into the big boy toy world. I think too, that he gets a bum rap sometimes because people expect him to act like an 8 year old, when he's still just a brand new five.

I will say that he is a gem at school, for all the frustrations I've had with Jon and school, Drew couldn't be more opposite. Jon is zero trouble at home, he generally is my listener, empathetic and quiet. At school, let's just say he's his mother's child. Drew on the other hand is my pistol, he challenges me, pushes my buttons and takes me to the brink - but then he always pulls back, gives me the grin and apologizes. He reminds me of my mom, she had frustrating me down to an art! When he is at school, he is a delight, follows instructions, a leader and joy! I suppose I should be grateful that his antics are typically behind our household door - I pray one of these days he'll throw me a bone.

He does have quite the empathetic heart -we had a gourmet McDonald's lunch this last weekend and he got a cookie as a treat. He promptly split in thirds for himself, Jon and Penny, without any prompting. He will generally defer to Jon if there is an argument or a fit over something. He is kind beyond measure with his baby sister and will easily play dolls with her if that's what she wants. He is also famous for just running up to you and giving you a hug and kiss, just because.

He also is one of the wittiest people I know. His quick on his feet responses, leave me speechless and in stitches. Jon is a bit of nervous kid, getting lost is one of his phobias, Drew looks at it as an adventure. So if we, on the rare occasion, lose our bearings, Jon will be the one begging for us to turn back and go home, while Drew sits next to him taunting, "We'll never find home Jon, we'll be lost forever." Or one of my favorites is when Jon came home with his booty from birthday gift card purchases. Our rule is, you get one day and you don't have to share, after that, normal house rules apply. Jon was taking this rule to the letter. Drew's response to Jon's hoarding was, "you only have two hands, Jon, you can't play with it all."

Drew is also a fierce protector and friend. If he loves you, he will do everything in his power to make you happy. This is the first year that he and his friend Paige are not in class together. It has been sad since they have been in class together since they were 18 months old. The only trouble that he ever got into at school was getting toys for or defending Paige. Now that he is getting older, his preferences are leaning more toward playing with his fellow boy classmates, but his loyalty remains. He has an amazing imagination and confidence beyond his years. He's not afraid to be himself and for that, I admire him to no end.

In closing I want to wish my baby boy a very happy fifth birthday, I love you Drewski (my mom coined that name - she felt it fit him and it would be a good football nickname) my Great Dane puppy boy - have a happy, happy day!

oxoxoxo-Mom

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