New Year’s Eve 2017

Well 2017 has come to an end. Declan is huge. While I’m terribly sad that my sweet little toddler is gone I’m so crazy for this wonderful 5 year old. Now when I say 5 I mean...technically 5 because he’s so much a 50 year old most times he opens his mouth. He’s nothing but joy and every day adds to my life. He’s worth any effort.

Here are just a few memories from the last two months where I got too busy to keep up:

That sweet time he told me he’d have “Monkey forever, even when I’m big.”

Declan became a Beaver this fall. When they learned about Remembrance Day he asked to Go to Canada’s War Museum and see the Teddy bear. Soon Declan, soon.

That odd time he mentioned he’d like “Monkey on his tombstone.”

His great attitude: I asked “Why did you get up so early?” 

Declan “Because I wanted a longer day.”

And sometimes he kills me. He was watching a video and I heard his say “A Minecraft keychain?.....I’M INTERESTED!”

Oh and when he called me out: “Did you get cornstarch cuz last time you tried to make cookies you accidentally made dog biscuits?”

When I asked the 5...I mean 50 year old if he’d want anything to eat at the restaurant: “I can eat one of my fruit to go’s, do you think they’d have a kids drink? Juice would be nice cuz I’ll be having milk for bedtime.” 

And the precious moment he saw a picture of Santa’s nice list: “I’m on the list! And I’m at the top!”

Oh and it wouldn’t be typical Declan if he didn’t grow just a little more. In the last couple months another half inch. Ends 2017 at 4 feet 1/2 inches tall.

Slow down little man!

Halloween

Declan’s 6th Halloween and he chose to be Super Mario. Great costume to wear to school when you’re in kindergarten. I was lucky enough to have the day off and could attend the morning costume parade at the school. The Kindergarten kids lead the parade and they’re so proud. Declan was so happy to have me there to see him. There were three Super Mario’s in total but Declant was the only one in Kindergarten.

When it came time for trick or treating he was very excited. This year he was also very brave. He walked to the houses on his own and rang the bell or knocked. He was patient if there were other kids and he said Thank you and Happy Halloween when he left each house. Other parents commented on how nice it was that he walked around the lawns instead of just cutting through the gardens. Mr. Popular also ran into kids he knew from school. There was one house that goes all out and makes their garage a haunted house. Everyone was dressed up with creepy faces and Declan was brave enough to go inside to get his candy. The creepy faced people high-five’d him as he walked out. 

When we got home he dumped out his loot and ate chocolate and chips right away. He was respectful when I told him he’d had enough though and was easy to get to bed even after all of the excitement. After stories, hugs and kisses Daddy and I were leaving Declan’s room when he called me back. He wanted to give me another hug...and kiss....and then he looked right at me and “bopped” me on the nose with his tiny finger. 

So much joy in this one.

Daddy’s Blood Test

Last Saturday Declan got to accompany Daddy to the blood clinic. Yearly checkups mean blood draw and urine tests. When they got home I got to hear all about it. Declan watched the entire process, saw two vials if blood filled up and Daddy stuck with needles. He told me about the kid in the next room that was crying. When I said “oh it can be scary for little kids” he told me “It was a big kid”. Declan also laughed when he told me Daddy had to pee in a cup.

Who would have thought good times could be had at the blood lab when you’re five!

Safety First?

So funny story.

Declan tells me this evening: “On the way home from school Daddy and I stop to get the mail. I asked if I could take my seatbelt off and Daddy said ok just hold on as we turn the corner to our house. Then when Daddy turned the corner I went “whooooooaa” (and he pretends he’s tipping over on his side).” 

Boys.

Thriller

When I got in from work Declan was excited because Daddy was going to put in a spooky video for us.

It was Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. Started off ok but as soon as Michael Jackson starts changing into a werewolf Declan started shaking and wanted my hand over his eyes. Once that part was over he was good again but he said he needed his eyes closed when the zombies come. Once they reach the graveyard Declan pulled my hands over his eyes and yet his little body was shaking. He told me he didn’t want to see until the zombies start dancing. As soon as the dancing started I took my hand away and he loved it. Once it was over he said “remember when the blood was coming out of the zombies mouth?” To which I replied “how’s you see that? My hands were over your eyes.” He turned to me and with his hands showed me how he could peak through fingers. Then he announced that he was going to have nightmares if I didn’t sleep with him. 

And this is why I slept on the floor of Declan’s room last night. 

Busy Kid

When Daddy arrived at school today to pick Declan up from the after school program he got to see our Muffin Man owning the room.

Declan had handed out tickets to all of the other kids for them to attend a puppet show. He then had some paper bag puppets he and the other kids had made and he was acting out a show from behind the puppet theater stage. So proud of his confidence.

I asked him today what his favourite part of the day was and he said “playing with Rosalind.” He told me they were playing family. I had to ask “were you brother and sister or Mom and Dad?” Declan replied “we were cat and dog. I like cats so I was a cat and she was a dog. She’s said ‘woof woof’ and I’d say ‘meow’!”

This past weekend we took Declan to see the HMCS Haida in Hamilton. He really wanted to see the warship. He loved it. I know seeing it through a five year olds eyes isn’t the same as it is through our eyes but he asked great questions. On Monday Declan was “Super Student” for his class and he told all his classmates about the ship and showed pictures on the projector. 

He also asked about what Daddy’s Grandpa did in the war. Daddy told him about how he was in a tank and fired the big gun at the bad guys. Declan asked who the bad guys where and Daddy said “The Nazis” to which Declan asked “The Naughties?” He then looked at me and said “and what’s your story? Oh yay your Grandpa was in the war but didn’t have to fight?”

He kills me.

Growth chart update:

For weight Declan is in the 97% percentile for a 5 1/2 year old.

For height he’s off the charts. At 4 feet tall and 48 lbs he’s the average height and weight of a 7 year old.

Fun fact: most recently when asked what he wanted to be when he grows up Declan said “A Principal”

Impressed Daddy Moment: Declan’s fam was making a weird clicking noise. I suggested maybe it wasn’t balanced and to put something under. Declan said it should be good now that it’s ‘stable’. Daddy looks at Declan and asks “did you just use the word stable?”

Bruises and Cuts

While the new school year is going well and Declan has adjusted to being SK fantastic. His body however is taking a beating. Nearly every day he comes home with a new scrap, cut or bruise. Today he came home with a scrap on his arm and a bandaid on his leg. When asked why the bandaid Declan said he didn’t know. Apparently he was in the Library and another kid commented that he had blood on his leg. Here’s hoping this is just normal ‘boy stuff’.