Seven Years a Boy's Mama

He was counting down the sleeps, just like at Christmas. When will I be seven?? It's such a sweet, exciting age. So let me tell you a bit about this boy in our family.

At Legoland, where we went for his birthday

I didn't grow up with boys - I have a sister and four female cousins. So to some extent, boys were a bit of a foreign territory to me... and I never realised just how full of my own ideas I was, until he came along and smashed many of them.

Tender Fire

That, I think, is the best way I can describe him - his tenderness of heart makes me feel incredibly protective, he takes everything to heart and is easily hurt - he's not learned to harden his heart in protective defense as I did early on. And I marvel at how straightforwardly, fiercely and openly he just loves. Me, in particular. I know I have his heart, completely and trustingly given to me; and the responsibility of that is both terrifying and beautiful.

He always wants me in his life. Given a choice, he will always share a bed with me at night... on weekdays he can't choose that but on weekends he can, and will alternate with N(8) only because he has to! He will run to me with any problems and pains he has, and the joys too - Mama, look at me! - and always tries to draw me into his activities and interests. Board games are becoming more and more of a thing now too (chess in particular - yes really!), although he still struggles with losing.

Fire, too - it comes with his tenderness. There's a fierceness, a fire in his belly. He's full on. He can suddenly erupt in rage because he can't put his intense feelings into words. When N, who is older and more articulate than him, teases him; but also particularly if he feels any hint of embarrassment, like not being able to do something correctly, for example a particular karate move. Once he's decided to resist, his resistance to being told what to do can be difficult to overcome. Counterwill. In those moments, of rage and utter resistance, I sometimes remind him that I'm not his enemy... and then he can see me again, remember that I love him and that he loves me, and then we can find our way forward.

One of his favourite activities at the moment is co-writing books
with me, where we alternate writing a sentence each to create a story

He's an engineer and inventor with lego, cardboard and paint; and he loves animals - always mindful of Cody the dog and will often seek him out for cuddles and attention. And when one of our chickens died last week, D cried the saddest tears.

Hunting for small critters

Evil Cat, a recent cardboard invention

Best friends

Of course, D shares many interests with N(8) who is also an incredible artist, but he's not really into any sports we have tried so far - Karate is our family sport but he's not hugely enthusiastic (yet?), he doesn't want to play football like N does, or go to gymnastics... competitive sports are a no-no but we haven't yet figured out what, if anything, different will float his boat.

He is a keen thinker, often finding connections between things that would never have occurred to me. Particularly with language - an example, the other day: I got him a Playmobil Pyramids set, as he's been fascinated with Ancient Egypt. He finds a male Pharaoh figure and goes: "Look mum, it's Cleopatrick!"

He's just so unintentionally cute!

Well, what can I say... he's got my heart, well and truly. He's a much more intense character and not always easy for N to be around, but his heart is beautiful and loving and true. He is a blessing beyond words. Seven years already!

Here are a few more lovely photos from D's Legoland birthday!