Six years old

He's six today, my sweet Aden Levi.

Sometimes I just stare at him. From behind, because whenever he catches anyone gazing his way, he throws his arms in the air, furrows his brow, tilts and shakes his head and asks, "Why are you looking at me?" But I just can't believe how grown up he seems. My littlest baby didn't stay little for long.

In celebration of this remarkable boy's day, here are some random facts about our newest six-year-old. Aden:

Is obsessed, obsessed with cheese

Thoroughly enjoys giving winkies (wedgies) to his Daddy and brother

Can read well for his grade level, but doesn't read for fun

Wants to be outside all the time

Plays mechanic with his new bike

Has broken most everything he owns

Pouts, I mean lip to the floor, when he doesn't get his way

Hasn't eaten a vegetable in almost four years

Has terrible, horrible eczema on his arms

No longer cries when I clip his toenails

Goes shirtless as much as possible

Loves to pick a fight

Performs air shows with his Blue Angel plane

Swings as high as possible before jumping off the swingset

Is terrified of learning to go all the way underwater this summer

Is a fantastic grocery shopper

Keeps a good beat on his drums, tries to play his guitar, and begs me to teach him piano

Spreads a mean pile of mulch

Eagerly helps with every household chore except picking up his toys

Can dress himself well

Will hopefully learn to tie his shoes this summer

Gets easily bored with TV

Sings and dances to "rockin music", which is anything with a strong beat or electric guitar

Has pretty good handwriting when he tries, but still has trouble knowing when to use p, b, d, and q

Never forgets any promises made to him

Notices details that no one else would pick up on

Doesn't want baseball season to end

Remains afraid of thunderstorms, and not much else

Reserves all snuggles and most kisses for his Mama

Is quite fond, too fond, of potty humor

Quits at board or yard games when he gets behind

Can't keep himself awake very long on man nights

Is dreadfully, horrendously hard to wake up in the mornings

Wishes we had a dog

Asked for a dump truck for his birthday (a real one)

Loves hearing stories about things he said or did when he was little

Is beyond handsome with those sparkly blue eyes and contagious smile

Still hangs tight to Monkey at night

Wants to reposition all the furniture in his room

Climbs up trees, door frames, porch posts, and spends more time on the kitchen counter than on the floor

Is curious to a fault

Makes every day an adventure

Happy birthday, precious Aden! Daddy and I are so thankful to God for blessing our family with such a dynamic, determined, delightful boy. We love you so much!