This moment. I will always remember this moment like I’m standing right there.
Looking at you.
Watching you.
You flying around the basketball court on your scooter; riding determinedly and speedily.
“Watch Mama, watch!!”
And me, watching.
Watching your sturdy little leg push against the ground; sending you gliding forward.
Watching your little frame move across the horizon.
I remember a similar moment with Brielle.
She was only a few months old, and we were at a wedding reception. I remember what I was wearing, and what she was wearing. I remember the smell of her cheek, and the feel of her tiny body in my arms. I remember the wind playing on my skin and neck and the sound of the happy wedding reception in the distance. I remember it like it was yesterday.
I held her up in the air and looked at her face.
My inner-dialog went something like this:
This moment is amazing. This girl is amazing. This life is amazing. I never want to forget this moment.
And it’s been solidified in my brain ever since.
This moment with you felt the same. For no particular reason, time stood still; and I just watched you.
My healthy, happy boy; independent in his own six-year-old way. Enjoying the freedom of his scooter, the sunshine on his face, and the breeze against his skin. And wanting his mommy to “watch!”
This moment is amazing. This boy is amazing. This life is amazing. I never want to forget this moment.
Michael, how I cherish being your mommy.
You are six! Can you even believe it? When you were two-years-old you named your new stuffed dog “Four” because you were so looking forward to being your sister’s age. Now you are six!
It’s your GOLDEN birthday! And boy we made sure it was “golden.” You love shiny things, so this was a very important birthday for you! Yes, Covid made your party plans disappear, no Jump with friends as planned, but that didn’t stop us from having a blast!
You got your birthday bike a few days before your birthday, and ON your 6th birthday you officially rode it for the first time alone after trying for only two days! As you rode away from me on your own, you shouted “Freeeeedom!!” 😀
You have grown up so much in the past year. Not just your strong little body; but your beautiful creative heart and mind too. You are so smart and kind!
Your fifth year was a big year for you. You were a city boy for almost half of it! And you loved it. We moved for Daddy’s work to Australia, and you loved Melbourne. You have always loved the city, ever since we lived in NYC for six weeks when you were tiny. You learned how to walk in Central Park!
You tend to think of the city as “clean” and the country as “dirty,” and “old-fashioned.” Which actually makes sense, considering all the actual “dirt” in the country!
You have grown up so much over the past year. You read Bob books! And you are a fervent saver. Given the opportunity to buy a very cool new batman vehicle, or save your twenty dollars, you will save your money every time.
You love your family so much. You love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You love swinging on the rope swings and playing ball with daddy. You started homeschool this year, and love it so much! You walk like a big kid (because you are!!) to the six different classes you have every Monday. You love singing and beat-boxing and wow, you are an artist!
And, your laugh… When you laugh your big, happy, “Michael laugh” I feel tingles. You’re the only kid I know who actually laughs out loud when you watch TV. When I hear your laugh I can’t help but to laugh right along with you!
You say so many things that crack me up. Here are some of my favorites from your 5th year:
Instead of “To Infinity and beyond!” You say “Amphibians and Beyond!”
You ran into Brielle’s room and announced to her: “I have good news and bad news! The bad news is, God isn’t coming today. The good news is, the Holy Spirit is here!!”
Your version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah: “Skippity-doo-dah, skippity day, my best friend had a wonderful day!”
You say “ugler” instead of “uglier.”
You call “lasagna” “za-lagna.”
You say “mamember” instead of “remember, and Brielle said, “Mom, the last baby word he says is mamember.”
“Guys, will you stop talking? I’m trying to consequence.” (Concentrate.)
One day you got soooo mad at me. You wanted to say something to hurt my feelings, so you said “When you were a baby you ate out of a trash can.” I’m laughing just typing this.
You and Brielle asked me for something when we were on the streets in Melbourne, and I said “No guys, not today.” And you said, “Please! We’ll bow to you!!!” Soooo loud, in front of soooo many people. That was a real mom-moment right there. I looked around like, “No, I do not have my children bow to me, people!!”
You called Brielle stupid and I asked you to please apologize in a full sentence. You said, “I’m sorry Brielle, that I called you stupid. You’re the second bestest.” I asked, “Who’s the first best?” You said, “ME!!”
We have a cloud. It’s always the biggest, most beautiful cloud in the sky. It’s “Our Cloud,” and it has been a “mommy and Michael” thing since you were two years old.
For your 5th birthday you got so many fun toys. At one point we were outside playing with your LEGOs (I was reading and you were playing,) and you said, “Mommy, you got me all these wonderful presents, so I’m going to give you a present.” You told me it was a “surprise” and to go inside.
I watched you from the window. You were squatting down in the grass looking for a flower for me. You took so long to select the perfect one, and picked it. It was green layered with purple blooms on it. You handed it to me with such tenderness and love.
About a month ago this was your prayer at lunch-time:
“Thank you Jesus that this is the best day ever. And that you are with us. And that we have new friends to meet. And that it’s almost spring here. Thank you that we are joyful and loveful. Amen.”
You prayed this right before the Coronavirus changed everything in our lives overnight. Your birthday party was cancelled and you haven’t seen friends or family in weeks. But we are still “joyful” and “loveful.” We know this is a moment in time, and we will get through it together. And thankfully, “together” is our favorite place.
You are excited about the things you can control, like getting a pool to wade in when it gets warmer in a few weeks, riding your new blue bike, and playing soccer with daddy at the soccer field!
Things will get back to normal.. and in the meantime, you are loving your life. You still pray gracefully and humbly: “Thank you Jesus; that this is the best day ever.”
I love you Michael James Grace.
I’m so glad you are my boy.
Preschool graduation. He is the one with the tie over his face. 🙂
He loves his Sissy.
Chocolate is his favorite!
Hanging out the sunroof with Sissy.
Waiting for the train outside of Melbourne.
Hanging with Daddy.
Coffee milkshakes were his new favorite in Rhode Island this summer!
Making car noises is his specialty.
Making art at his homeschool co-op art class!
He has a soft spot for money. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s shiny or because of what it can buy! This is an Australian dollar.
With friends. 
Love his long hair. And this face!
Every morning he comes and looks for cuddles. This was in our apartment in Melbourne. The artwork at our Airbnb was so perfect for us!
He swam to the dock in Rhode Island this summer!
Marvel Stadium! We walked past this beast every day in Melbourne.
This picture was taken this summer. How do his hands look so much smaller than they do now??
Same.
Building a fire with Daddy in our Yering Cottage – Yarra Valley in Australia!
“So how was your day?” I love conversations with you.
He has no middle speed. Especially at the pool, it’s play until you drop!
My boys. I can’t even.
Pool snacks are the best snacks.
Waiting for his peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Bathtime. He loves to “reeeeeelax.” 
Surfer dude. Except he hates it when his board gets “dirty.” And he never takes it into the water!
The playground near our apartment in Melbourne. Our second home!
Weirdest art exhibit ever! We loved it!
Hot cocoa like every single day.
Iron Man.
Walking through the park.
The Ferry on the way to Block Island in Rhode Island.
On the Yarra River with daddy driving! What an adventure.
He loves his Sissy. Look at that hand placement 🙂 
A stack of toast! We read Mercy Watson and he just had to do it. 
Working out with Daddy at Library at the Dock.
Soaking in the sun in Westerly, Rhode Island.
This wall art was right near our apartment in the CBD. The kids were proud to get close enough to touch the Joker’s teeth. Scary! 
On the way to the walking bridge. 
At the ski beach. So many treasures to find. 
City life.
Good morning!
At soccer camp with Sissy. This was right before we left for Rhode Island in July and then headed across the world to Australia! What an adventure this summer/fall has been. 
Our morning view was breathtaking. 
Picking up daddy from work. With a croissant! 
You love your daddy so much. 
Hawaii!
On top of the Eureka tower in Melbourne. (These are so out of order!)
More Hawaii!
And more!
Chillin’.
And visitors at our cottage in the Yarra Valley! 
The Twelve Apostles
More birds. This was on a nature walk on the Great Ocean Road. 
Teddy’s Lookout! (I think) 🙂 
He met a new friend! They were so soft and even smelled good!
Twins!
At the Melbourne Aquarium with an amazing fake background. 🙂
Lots and lots of family time over the last year as we lived in a whole new world!
Eating pizza in the Emporium near City On A Hill church were we attended in Melbourne.
Taking the library books back!
Rhode Island and its beautiful rocks.
