A Letter to Hayden on Your 5th Birthday

My fabulous Hayden,

Five going on twenty-five. You love all things "grown up." You constantly talk about the future and when I am a grandma and you are a mom. Your visions all include a sports car and lots of money to buy whatever you want. Lots of shoes and jewels I imagine.

The other day when you were dreaming of the glorious day when you are older, I explained that there are hard things that come along with growing up as well, like paying bills and responsibilities. I didn't think much of it, but a few days later you said, "mom, I have been thinking about what you said about growing up, and I am a little nervous about it." I was glad to hear that, I am not ready for you to be all grown up yet.

You are my glamour queen. The more flash and glitz, the better. A few weeks ago you asked your teacher at church if she was wearing a Bump-It (a thing you put in your hair to get that big sassy hair). I was not surprised because you have been talking about Bump-Its forever now. You keep asking if I will buy one for you.

You are so good with people. You have a way of sucking them in and wrapping them around your little finger and getting them to do whatever you want. You are a such a little flirt and you already know how to bat your eyelashes.

You have matured so much this year. You are listening and doing what you are asked more than ever, and sometimes you are even downright helpful. You are doing so well at school. I was so surprised when I volunteered in your classroom a fee weeks ago. You are attentive and on task and you do everything you are told.

You are so sweet with Jaxton. You mother him and talk so sweetly to him. You are always saying "come on bub, let's go play." You love playing store, or school, or house. You are the store keeper/teacher/mom, and Jaxton is Jeremy. I don't know why or where you came up with this name for him, but he brought me a name tag the other day and asked me to write my name on it. I said "J-A-X-T-O-N spells Jaxton" and he said "no, my name is Jeremy."

My silly, crazy, imaginative girl, some days it is exhausting being your mom, but I wouldn't have it any other way. You keep me on my toes and you are such a fun addition to our family. I love you so much!

Mom