Another birthday and once again I can't believe my child is another year older. How is Keller already 7?! He is the life of the party and I don't know what we would do without him. Here are all things "Keller" -
(Warning: there are a lot so feel free to stop reading whenever you want!)
Keller is beyond silly. He thinks everything is funny and if there is a way to make something a little more crazy, he will find it. He cracks himself up and while I don't get it, most of his friends think he is pretty funny too.
He has a "cool" factor. If he starts wearing a particular thing or liking it, others in his class do too. He just has that thing that you kinda either have or you don't. We have lots of talks about how it's nice to be liked but being cool isn't the most important thing ever. I hope he uses his natural leadership for good. He also doesn't usually fall into peer pressure. He is fine to do what he wants, even if that means he is alone.
Keller is a pleaser. Ultimately he wants to make everyone happy. He is one of those kids that telling him he disappointed you is way more effective than screaming at him.
He is one sensitive boy. He will break into the most pathetic and sad looking alligator tears at the drop of a hat. He will cry if he is embarrassed or scared or hurt or isn't good at something. Honestly the list of things that may make him cry is lengthy. He has helped me be more compassionate. Some tears are okay but we are working on minimizing the unnecessary ones.
Keller would like to have a friend over everyday. He has made a couple good buddies that are easy to have over and they play great. It is nice now that he is old enough that having friends over isn't extra work for me. I always tell him that if friends make life harder for me, than he will lose the privilege. He has quickly learned how to behave when he has friends over and makes sure his friends are playing by our rules too. A few of his friends made out-of-this-world messes but his best buddies are great boys and usually they are so busy playing I only see them when they are hungry.
He thinks Dad is pretty much the best. I can't blame him...I do too. He loves to play with Chad and savors every moment with him. It's pretty adorable to watch.
Keller is very neat and organized. Every Saturday the boys have to make sure their room is completely organized. I even check under the bed and the closets. Keller rarely has to do anything because he keeps his room tidy all of the time. If he gets something new he finds it a good home and that is where it stays. I love it!!!
He has the best skin! During the summer his hair gets so blonde and his skin is so tan. We are all pretty jealous and don't know where that skin came from!
He really cares about how he looks. He is a handsome boy but I definitely don't want that to define how he sees himself. He is concerned about getting fat and keeping flat abs (his words...not mine). Haha! He refuses to wear clothes or shoes he has deemed ugly. He will cry if he thinks I didn't do his right correctly. However, I love dressing him because he likes to look nice.
Keller gives the most thoughtful and sweet compliments. He can make me feel like a million bucks. He notices and comments on things that other people may not notice. He is going to be the best boyfriend and husband.
He loves a list. He will make a list of things he wants to do during the day. He prefers me to give him a list of what I want him to do. He loves to check things off and see the fruits of his labor.
Keller is very cautious and doesn't really like to try new things. We try to respect his limits while encouraging him to push his boundaries. He is starting to get more brave but overall he truly seems to enjoy just watching the fun from the sidelines if it seems dangerous or scary to him.
He is a smart boy! He had a great second year of kindergarten. I was worried he wouldn't really progress but he did and is definitely at the top of his class. He is an excellent reader but his passion is for math. He is BEYOND excited to finally get to first grade. I'm so glad we had him repeat kindergarten because he just seems so much more mature.
Keller always, ALWAYS wears pants if he is wearing anything that buttons or zips. He will wear athletic shorts but he will literally cry if you make him wear any other type of short. Even when it is extra hot and humid he still wears pants if I tell him it is a non-athletic wear day. It's funny because Vance is the exact opposite and never wears pants. So much for hand-me downs!
He has the BEST laugh. I should really call it a giggle because that's more what it is. He will giggle over just about anything but nothing beats his belly laugh. You can't help but smile and his entire face just radiates joy. It's adorable! He is super ticklish so we get lots of giggles out of him.
Keller is working on being grateful. Sometimes he has a hard time if he doesn't get what he wants and he can't really see all of the things he does get. I know this is pretty typical at this age so we aren't overly worried about it but definitely working on it. He always is grateful for experiences but it is things he isn't always grateful for and always wants to ask for more.
He loves Sutton! Those two are pretty much inseparable at home. They sleep together, bath together, play together, etc. I like that playing with Sutton keeps him young. He isn't in a huge hurry to grow up and be a part of the big kids. He is happy as a clown doing the little kid thing with Sutton still.
Keller is the sweetest big brother. Now of course he has his moments but I have been so impressed with how he handles being a big brother. He is patient, a great teacher, protective, and so many other positive things. I love watching how he will talk Sutton through the steps of what is happening. My favorite is when he tries to calm him down if he is scared or hurt. He is going to be the best dad!
He still wears a pull-up at night. I am really hoping he grows out of this in the next year or so but it doesn't seem to bother him at all.
Compliments mean the world to Keller. He never forgets them and you can just see his self-worth grow every time someone pays him a genuine compliment. Also if someone gives him a compliment, he makes sure to tell me about it and usually does multiple times. Words of affirmation is definitely his love language.
He is VERY aware about private parts and thinks they are hilarious. Honestly this makes me a bit worried for the teen and college years but hopefully we will keep it under control. If not, it was not for lack of trying!
Keller is particular about pajamas. He will only wear them in the sets he has made and will NOT vary.
He can play by himself for hours with toys. He has a great imagination. He doesn't really have the pull for electronics except the occasional Netflix show.
Keller has a full bed! Not only does he share a twin bed with Sutton (even though they both have their own), he sleeps with two blankets and two stuffed animals. I don't know how he finds room for lay down!
He loves to get the mail and does not appreciate when someone else beats him to it.
Keller is a great piano student. He has such a soft, natural touch and comprehends well for his age. He is by no means a prodigy but I'm impressed ;)
He loves to be at Grandma's house and escapes over there whenever he can. I think he likes to have some extra snacks and Grandma usually stocks the good stuff.
I know no one likes to feel stupid but Keller REALLY hates it. He will immediately burst into tears if he thinks people are laughing at him or if he embarrassed himself. We are working on how to shake things off and how to laugh at yourself.
Keller loves to swim and always wears sunglasses.
He loves art, especially coloring. He will draw his own creations or have me print out coloring pages for days! He always wants a new set of Crayola markers.
Keller is finally starting to like playing games! We are big game players so I'm so excited! With more game playing, he is also learning to be a more gracious winner and loser.
He is always dancing around and you would think he invented flossing. He is ALWAYS flossing!
Keller is nervous when it is his turn to say family prayers but he loves to read scriptures.
He loves sweets and wants a treat everywhere we go. Almost every night he asks if we are going to have dessert before bed time. I don't know why he thinks we are going to have dessert every night because we definitely don't. I guess it's just wishful thinking?
Keller manipulates Sutton to do things I ask him to do. Sutton doesn't usually protest so I figure more power to him. I'm sure eventually Sutton will stop falling for it and Keller will have to do his own things. Haha!
He makes friends everywhere. Any time we go anywhere with other kids Keller makes multiple friends. He just jumps right in the fun and never looks back.
More than anything Keller is a sweet boy! He is so genuinely kind and has the sweetest way about him. I can't really put into words how he is so sweet but trust me - if you had to describe Keller in two words the first would be silly and the second would be sweet.
Keller, I absolutely love everything about you and am so grateful to be your mom! Love you Kellerboy!
