You are a funny kid. There are things you say that make everybody laugh, and a week later those things stick with you. The really good ones make us laugh a year later. We have even come up with a term for the crazy things you say.
We’re trying to keep track of them. It’s hard. At least once a week you give us a zinger.
You were always a “grumpy old man” in a way, or perhaps the better term would be the youngest curmudgeon. There isn’t a lot you seem to enjoy – half the time when we ask if you had a good time, the response is “no” though clearly you did by the smile on your face. You are rather set in your ways, and we keep waiting for you to yell for everybody to get off your lawn.
With each kid, we always look at them and wonder how they got to be so big, or continue to think of them at some earlier development stage. Not with you. With each new stage in your life, you always seem to be right were you always should be. When you got glasses last year, it took no time at all to get used to the idea of seeing you with them because it seemed, once we saw them on your face, that you should have always had glasses.
We’ve decided to do a third year of preschool with you. Academically you’re probably ready for kindergarten. Actually, I’m sure you’d be fine. It’s your wild “loose cannon” nature that makes us want to hold you back and give you that time to calm down a bit. You’re not mean or malicious, thankfully, you just like to run around. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there is a time and a place for it, and Kindergarten isn’t it.
I can’t wait to look back, on your next birthday, and reflect on what the coming year has brought you. I love you. Happy Birthday Ciárán!