....and then there's 7-11

7-11....that's what we've started calling Carver.....because his mouth has been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week lately! :) Man, I don't know where he gets it ;) but that boy can talk! The crazy part is, he is so smart, so he's not talking nonsense, he is usually asking questions or telling us EVERYTHING that he knows! :) To be honest, he makes me feel pretty stupid sometimes because he's constantly asking me questions that I don't know the answers to....I told him the other day that he really keeps me on my toes, I think he liked that. :)

5 has been fun for Carver, but as he's been saying recently, "It's hard to be 5!" We came across a great book by that title at the library right around his birthday, and man it fits him perfectly!! It is fun being 5, but it's hard too....people expect more of you now that you're 5, but it's still difficult to be good at only 5 years old. Such a good book!

It really is amazing how much Carver has changed over the last year....he has really started to learn to control his behavior and although he still has his struggles, he is learning to make better choices and to think before doing things.

That being said, have I mentioned how smart this kid is? He knows when he needs to be good, and he knows how to make a good impression. I laugh everytime that I take Kayden to Carver's school and the other parents just ooh and aah over how nice the boys are to each other and what a great big brother Carver is. Don't get me wrong, Carver is a good big brother, but he is still a 5 year old boy who doesn't like to share his toys, his space, his parents, or any ounce of attention that he can get! He loves his brother, but sometimes he loves to antagonize his brother more than he likes to play with him or take care of him. ;)

So, let's see, what is a 5 year old Carver into...besides making his brother and mommy and daddy crazy? He loves being outside riding his bike, running around, kicking a soccer ball, and playing t-ball (he's just started Little League t-ball and he loves it...I'll write a post about it soon). He also really loves movies and really looks forward to his weekly movie night. He loves any one on one time he can get with mommy or daddy or Memaw or Grandma and cherishes having all of the attention, all for himself, whenever he can get it. I honestly thought that he was young enough when Kayden was born that he would not be too jealous and wouldn't really miss being the center of everyone's universe....I was wrong! :)

Carver also loves to make us laugh....I just melt when I see that smile with a twinkle in his eye when he knows he's being funny. And that loud, goofy laugh when he is roaring at his own jokes. :) He has always known how to deliver a punchline and how to really make people giggle....and he's still at it!

I see so much of myself in Carver....it's kind of scary. ;) He may look like his daddy, but he has a lot of my personality. He has a very strong will, and won't let anything get in his way when he sets his mind to something. He is very competitive (again, I can't imagine where he gets that ;) ), can have a bit of a temper ;), and is a bit of a perfectionist. Sometimes I feel badly that I've passed some of these traits on to him, they can be very difficult to deal with, but I am glad that I have had to learn to live with these traits my whole life, so that I can teach him how to handle his emotions and to rein in his strong will when it starts to get out of hand. :) Besides, there are some good traits that go along with these that he has inherited as well....he is a very hard worker and is very passionate when it comes to things that he loves to do. And you know the best part about his personality?!?!?! HE LOVES LIFE! He truly loves to just live life to the fullest everyday and to see what fun he can find. :)

It is hard to believe that Carver is going to be in kindergarten next year....all day...everyday. I know it's going to be harder on me than it will be for him, he's ready. Some would say that with his outgoing, fearless personality he's been ready for a while. I know it's true, and it's one of the things I love about him, he is so gung ho and always up for a new adventure and eager to learn something new. I'm just going to miss my baby being with me so much (even though he does talk too much and defintitely annoys me and tries my patience A LOT!). I know he'll do great though!

The future holds great things for Carver, and that's good, because he won't accept anything less from whatever he chooses to do in his life. He's grabbing life by the horns and enjoying the ride, and teaching us all a few things along the way! :)