Mary Cate, age 6

Happy birthday, Mary Cate! Six looks good on her! She has changed a lot in the last year. She's braver and kinder; she finished kindergarten strong, tried her hand at her first team sport this summer - Grade Ledge T-ball, and started first grade a little nervous but head held high. She's working hard to keep up with her siblings and cousins, so she is often to be found riding hoverboards, climbing too high on playground equipment, and playing the Nintendo Switch. But Mary also likes to sneak away to play imaginative games by herself when the boys aren't paying attention. 

She's helpful and a little shy but anyone who has met her knows she's also fiercely stubborn! If little girls are made of sugar and spice, I'm pretty sure Mary got a double dose of both. She's equally likely to be yelling with indignation at her brothers as she is to be hugging them and telling them they're the "best brother ever." 

Having our youngest turn six feels a little crazy. As school starts, I'm often crossing paths with young pregnant moms who are picking up preschoolers and holding the hand of a toddler. I delight with them in the wonders of that stage and empathize with the challenges, and I can't say I miss those days. I am loving this window of having school-age kids, watching the teenagers down to first graders learning and growing together at home and school. 

We love you so much, Mary! I hope you have an AMAZING year.

Mary wallpapered my office with rainbows, hearts, and flowers

How do you feel about being six?  

Good. Amazing.

What makes you most excited about being six?

I can do the super trampoline at Defy! I can do more things that I was scared of doing when I was four or five.

What other kinds of new things can six-year-olds do?

Reach things on high tables.

Who are your best friends?

Hannah, Emma, Ebby, Abby, Ian, Mason. My family members. My cousins and stuff.

Who are your favorite people to play with?
The Panda Team. [Who's on the Panda Team?] Hannah, Emma, Abigail, and Mason. And me!

What kinds of things are you good at?

Climbing. I got better at it. Like anything I see that's possible to climb. I'm good at being kind to others. Helping others. Sharing - that's being kind to others. Basically everything involving others. Like Jackie Robinson was famous for helping others and being kind!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to work at Meijer.

Why do you want to work at Meijer?

You get to scan stuff, and they might be hiring at the delivery center. And you get to put the groceries in bags and spin the bags around to let people get their bags.

What’s your favorite song?   

Probably the soundtracks to Zombies 2 and 3. I just love the soundtracks.

What's your favorite food?
Macaroni and cheese. It's literally the best food ever.

Favorite drink?

Chocolate milk.

Favorite movie? 

Zombies 3.

Favorite book?   

All the Dog Man books. 

Favorite color?   
Yellow and blue. But not because I like Michigan! I don't like their team!

Favorite place to be?

Home.

What are your favorite things to do?   

I love riding my hoverboard, snuggling Laffy, snuggling you [mom], play Animal Crossing, read and draw pictures.

What is your favorite present that you got for your birthday?
Hoverboard! It's amazing because you can go super fast, and spin super fast then fall down on the couch.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?   
No.