An Open Letter to My Son on His Fifth Birthday

Wow baby! You have just turned the BIG FIVE. So much has happened since your last birthday and I can’t believe how much you’ve accomplished this far. I’m so proud of you and the little person that you are becoming.

In this past year you’ve become the world’s best big brother. I love how Jaylen looks at you and you can tell he’s already looking up to you. You always include him in everything you do and genuinely want him around you all of the time. Thank you for looking out for him the way that you do. Please continue to do it and don’t ever stop. No matter how old you both get. You are each other’s keepers and I hope that watching me and my own brother have been a perfect example of that for you to watch.

From that, you’ve built your own tight bond with your uncle and cousin which I have loved seeing that grow because we didn’t force it on you. Cousin David was the first person you had on your guest list and I had to chuckle with happiness that you love my brother’s son in the way that you do.

Y’all fight like brothers, play like brothers, and miss each other when y’all are not together and it makes me and your uncle so happy that our kids have that closeness even though miles and miles apart. It makes your sleepovers that much special.

You also started kindergarten at age four and are already reading! How exciting is that? I love watching you read books to me and really enjoy the time we spend together doing homework because you show me just how incredibly intelligent you are. It’s funny that you sometimes come home and tell me that you get in trouble for talking in class because I would get in trouble for the same thing. You are definitely my child.

Another sport got added to your resume this year as well — flag football. Boy are your MiMi and PawPaw so proud. You haven’t left a game without a touchdown and the way you just see that ball and go for it is impressive at your age. You’ve got that athletic gene in you and although your dad is tough on you at times when it comes to your games, you have to know that he is the proudest of you out of all of us. I love watching him watch you because you bring out a side of him I’ve never seen before. 

With each year that passes, your Spanish keeps getting better and better and you are eager to learn more. I love that we can have conversations with each other now and I have to watch what I say around you because you sure do pick up quickly, even when mommy says bad Spanish words.

We’ve officially started you on chores and you’ve enjoyed the rewards of the end of each week that come from them. It’s also a perk for me that you are happy to help me around the house. Whether it’s vacuuming the floors after dinner or putting your toys away at the end of each day, you never complain.

You’ve taken up a love for drawing and coloring. It’s crazy to me to watch you pull up how-to videos on your ipad when you want to learn a new character to draw. Your favorite one to draw at the moment is Sonic the Hedgehog and it was what gave me the idea to add coloring t-shirts to your birthday party.

It was the first year that we collaborated on your birthday party planning and I loved every minute of it. You knew what you wanted and all I had to do was enter my card number. Pretty soon you’ll be taking full reigns on how you want to celebrate your birthday so I’m glad we got to do this one together before you get too big and want no parts of my say in it.

I almost cried at your birthday party when Sonic came and your face was so ecstatic I thought you were going to cry too! All I want in this life is to keep joy in your heart and a smile on your face always. This moment was one that I will remember forever. Along with our Disneyland trips as moments that I was able to bring the most excitement out of you. 

You wanted the same bubble bath pool that Sonic jumped into so you know we had to make it happen for you and it was a hit. You and your friends jumped right in and had a blast!

Even your dad wouldn’t get out. Thank you for bringing the big kid out of him.

This year you didn’t want a bounce house, you wanted an obstacle course. I’m glad I listened to you because again, you knew exactly what would be a hit with you and your friends.

You even had PawPaw racing you! Like father, like son, like grandson. You brought out the big kids in these “tough Burks men” only you can bring out of them too. So I hope you know how special you are to be able to do that.

Chicken and fries were your request along with chili dogs because you said it’s Sonic favorite so I had the chef prepare your birthday meal and of course you didn’t miss. You had both kids and adults going for seconds.

 

Since you prefer snow cones over ice cream we had the flavors in the color of your Sonic characters. Yellow (mango) for Tails, blue (blue raspberry) for Sonic, and red (cherry) for Knuckles. 

This year you wanted to pick your cake flavors, Chocolate and strawberry. Although I thought it was an interesting choice, everyone loved it. I guess I should let go of the reins more and know that you know what you’re doing even at the small age of five.

This year was one for the books! I look forward to seeing more of your accomplishments and sharing sweet moments with you my little mama’s boy. Life is definitely a millions times better since you came into our lives. 

I just want to say thank you for another year of loving me, teaching me, keeping me on my toes, and pushing me to be the best version of myself for you. I love you with every ounce of my being. 

“… if the world attacks and you slide off track, remember one fact, I got your back”

I love you papacito,

Mommy xoxo.