Six Years Old: Ryan

To our Ryan: As I watched you join your class on the first day of kindergarten, with only the slightest nervous look on your face, I was hit by how quickly you've grown and matured into a little boy. With the beginnings of school, this will be a year of growth and accomplishment, and I want to remember it all. Here's a glimpse of you at age six:

I am not exaggerating when I say that you eat, sleep and breathe baseball. It all started with your first experience playing t-ball this spring. You loved it, looking forward to each game the moment after the last one ended. Each week you'd declare that this next week would be the time you hit a double or a triple or a home run or whatever your latest goal may have been.

Your big accomplishment was catching a fly ball in the final game of the season. You received a standing ovation from your team, the opposing team, and the opposing team's coach (who happened to be a former Dodger player). I think it may have been one of the most exciting moment in your (and your Dad's) life.

During this t-ball season, you and Lucie played for the Phillies. Despite your middle name, and your Dad's strong allegiances, you have declared yourself a Phillies fan through and through. You have an extensive knowledge of the MLB Phillies players, their positions, the schedule and their current standing. It doesn't hurt that the Phillies are doing great this season and have good chances for the playoffs. I hope we'll all get to watch the World Series together this year with your adored Phillies at bat.

Along with the love of baseball has come an interest and aptitude for sports statistics. Your Dad downloaded an application on his phone to track MLB standings. The first thing you do every morning is grab his phone to check the standings. Then begins the commentary, "Lucie, did you know that Ryan Howard hit a three run homer against Florida? Mom, did you know that Philadelphia plays Cincinnati tonight at 7:10? What time is that in our time? I hope Ryan Madson is pitching, but it could be Roy Halladay. " (Notice he loves all players named Ryan.) It's like living on ESPN's Sports Center around here.

You love your little brother like crazy. You come up with the most creative nicknames for him. It started with "Cutie" then moved to "Cute-a-lot" then "Cutie-sticks" and "Stinky Pants", and

now with a funny french accent, "Jacob Bleu!"

As a protective older brother, you've decided that Jake needs a body guard when he's out in public, and you're more than happy to take on that role. As we walk through the grocery store you scan the aisles, doing fake karate chops, and declaring, "Nobody hurts my Cutie-sticks!" We may get funny looks, but it's actually quite endearing and sweet. Little Jake is so lucky to have you looking out for him.

Some of your favorite things right now include: mangoes, stealing the sports section of the newspaper from your Dad, finally losing your first tooth, family baseball games at the park, legos, playing tackle, Magic Tree House books, soccer practice, wearing out your family with your unbelievable amount of energy, watering the garden, breaking in your new mitt and spending time goofing off with your sister.

You pick things up so quickly, and are already reading a ton of words, and can do addition and subtraction problems quickly in your head. We can't wait to see how much you change and grow this year (but not too fast).

Being in your own kindergarten class, with your own teacher and new experiences, it is sure to be a transformative year. We're so lucky to share it with you. Happy Birthday Ryan!