Abram is FIVE!

10 days old.
1 year old.2 years old.

3 years old.

4 years old.5 years old!

Dear Abram,

This has been such a fun summer with you as we have waited for you to turn 5. Hiking, soccer, swimming, teaching things to Chloe and helping Hans take his first steps. You are just about ready to go out and conquer the world. You are thrilled to go to group activities like soccer camp, swimming lessons, primary activities, but you still make sure to ask if I can stay and watch. We have done some 1:1 activities and it is fun to have an independent nearly five year old to do things with. You like to lead Chloe in fun games and you like to get down and help Hans play at his level. Just recently, you have practiced becoming a good colorer. You are very careful with any work that you do.

You took German playgroup by storm this year and now you are piecing together German sentences to communicate yourself to Swiss friends and neighbors. You found some things hard to do this year and sometimes you just didn't want to do some things, but you learned to stick with it sometimes (like for forest playgroup and learning to read). Because of your persistence, you are a great hiker and reader. You are taking swimming lessons this summer and getting more confident with putting your head underwater. You are determined and motivated to learn how to swim this summer.

You like saying your prayers at night and at meal times. You have a sensitive, empathetic heart - like just a few days ago, you and Chloe got balloons - Chloe let hers go and it floated up to the sky - as she cried, you said with a tender, soft voice and a pit in your stomach, "Mama, I'm really sad about Chloe's balloon too." I had to reassure you that it would be okay. You are my helper. You are starting to set the table for breakfast and lunch all by yourself. You don't hesitate to run up three flights of stairs if I need something for Hans.

I am so glad that YOU are my little boy! I love you, Abram!

Love, your mama