Happy 5th Birthday Burton

Dearest Burton,

Happy 5th birthday my darling boy. Where has this year gone?

As I write this on the eve of your 5th birthday, I cannot believe that another year of your life has just flown past and so has your first year at school! We have not had your end of year report yet, but I know that I will not be disappointed Burton. You have thrived being at school and have done Daddy and I, and yourself, so very proud. Considering that you are the joint youngest in your class, my heart swelled with pride when your teacher told Daddy and I at the last parents evening that you are among her top achievers and that you are such a well mannered and helpful boy who just loves to learn! How could we ask anything more of you?

Mind you, I do wish that your behaviour at home could be better and more like the personna you show at school! Your 4th year has been tough as a parent to you. Whether it be a mixture of growth spurts, hormones or the influences of new friends and the routine of school, I have no idea BUT my goodness we have faced a lot of new and challenging behaviour issues this last year.  I have found it hard at times coping with you and then your little mini me copy cat Jenson doing things the same as you too, and with Daddy working away all week, I have struggled a lot and I wish I could be a better Mummy at times and not shout at you both as much as I do. However, I also wish that you would  do as I asked, not tell lies etc… but then I also have to remind myself that you are a child and this is what you are meant to do – to push my buttons and test the boundaries. But it does not mean I enjoy the experience or know what to do for the best to deal with what you throw at me!

Mind you it is not all bad, obviously, and when you are being sweet and calm  you are such a pleasure to have around. All your artwork from school still says to mummy, love from Burton with lots of kisses all over it!  Even meal times have become easier the last month or so (long may this continue!) with you trying a few new flavours and eating all or almost all your food from your plate!!! You are still very much the outdoors boy, riding your bike, climbing trees, getting muddy, splashing in puddles, making sandcastles on the beach and just running around – you love being outdoors and having the freedom to just be a boy!!

You love your little brother and even though you both have your disagreements and fallings out, it is very evident to everyone that sees you together how close you are and how much you love one another. When you want to be, you can be so lovely towards him and you enjoy showing him how to do things and boss him about, and he happily goes along with it (most of the time at least!). However, this willingness on his part has also resulted in him copying some of your naughty habits too!!

I know that this time last year I was all emotional about you starting yourschool life and I found it very hard dealing with the transition of  you going from my pre school boy to my school boy. However, once your first day ended I did cope and I was so pleased by how well you settled in and enjoyed going to school. When you pick up a book and just read it, it is amazing to see and hear you read the words because you just can now! You are so good at reading and Daddy and I often make little faces at each other as you succesfully manage to read such a wide array of words in front of us, and we wonder how you know what they all are so easily!

As you near the end of your reception year, I do feel sad that your first year is over and that next year you will be moving up. I am not sad for you because I know you will be fine, it just makes me sad to think that my little boy is growing up so fast. Five years tomorrow Burton (at 3.17am to be precise)  you have been in our lives – it has just whizzed by! But you have brought me so much happiness and love and I want to thank you for that.

As always, here is a look back on your last 12 months from last July to this one

I love you so much my darling boy. Please keep enjoying school and all that it can offer and teach you. Please keep making me proud and doing your very best in all that you do, because that will make me one very happy Mummy. You have so much to learn and your whole life ahead of you – how wonderful is that!

Love you so much and more than you will ever know
Lots of love always
Mummy
xxxxx