*Massive thanks to our friends at Hallmark for partnering with us on this post. Our collection of Hallmark Keepsake ornaments are some of our most favorite holiday decorations, and we love that Mayhem has her own growing Keepsake collection starting with the year she was born! Be sure to visit keepsakeit.com to check out more heartwarming and hilarious holiday goodness from our friends at Hallmark.*
Almost six.
I try to remember what sorts of things I enjoyed when I was five going on six, and I can’t quite remember anything that I would get lost in.
There isn’t a day that goes by though, that I don’t (at some point) find Mayhem completely immersed in coloring or drawing. Drawings of our family, drawings of Moxie, drawings of friends. Drawings of places we’ve been, and places in her head. Drawings of her favorite stuffed animals and toys, and drawings of anything new that catches her eye. Most recently, her new Holiday Barbie Keepsake ornament from Hallmark provided the inspiration.
Last week she informed me that she’s no longer into using crayons. She prefers markers and colored pencils because crayons are harder to control where the color is going. She added, “And markers and colored pencils make my pictures look older and I am almost six, you know.”
Fair enough.
She’s growing up and I’ve yet to find the pause button. She tells me with all sincerity that she doesn’t need my help anymore. Sometimes it’s true, and sometimes she’s testing her independence (and my patience).
Sometimes it breaks my heart a little and other times I’m internally high-fiving myself. And I’m beginning to believe that this is all of parenthood; simultaneously feeling immense pride at new accomplishments while choking back the tears of seeing that your baby is no longer a baby.
I sit back observing and waiting patiently, wondering if she’ll ask for my help with this one. Secretly, I REALLY want to be a part of this one with her.
I know she wants the bottom to have pleats, and I know pleats still tend to frustrate her most. She can absolutely construct them on her own, but she tends to get upset when they don’t turn out as neat and tidy as she likes. I feel a slight pang of disappointment in myself as in my head I’m yelling “Mess up the pleats! Mess them up! You need me for this! Pleeeeease! Just this once!”
She stops only briefly enough to look up and ask (in a very annoyed tone), “Can you stop taking pictures for a minute and help me with the pleats?”
Yes! In my head I’m fist pumping and raising the roof and all the other super uncool things that provide an indication of exactly how OLD I am.
I help her maneuver the trickiness of the wrapping paper and then she asks if I can also help with the “overskirt”, because …
“There’s LOTS more pleats, Mom!”
After finishing up, I’m allowed to take a few photographs but she insists I make sure the lighting is good. She’s almost six, you know.
She tells me she knows where to stand and she has some ideas for posing….
I know she won’t always need my help, but for now, I’m going to encourage as many outfits with pleats as possible.
Because I’m selfish like that. And because ….
Almost six.
Awwww, this is so sweet and reminds me of when my now 20 year old turned 6. After an eventful day of partying, I sat on the edge of her bed while she slept and cried. And cried. Six really did me in. Good luck, and stock up on tissues?
Yeah, six is giving me ALL the feels! She just seems so much older all of the sudden and I’d really like to be able to freeze time for just a bit. I’m definitely taking your advice on the tissues though
I tell my almost 5 year old there is no more growing allowed. She will then show off how long her legs are, how high she can reach, how much food she’s eating just to remind she WILL grow and I can’t stop her. She smiles with such pride in these moments, and I am secretly trying to slow down time just a bit more. While she still needs me like she does now and won’t tomorrow. And I have an older child – it just never gets easier.
I simply adore your posts (adore you and Mayhem, in reality). This one touched me in a different way than others in that our “baby” got married last Saturday. Our 33 year old son! He finally found the love of his life and in a very short time they were engaged and now married. Like you these last weeks were full of mixed emotions. Thrilled he is so happy, annoyed that they picked a date 5 weeks in advance without even a venue, yet grateful they needed help in so many of the details and organizing.
I’m so proud of the man he has grown to be, but having a hard time letting him ‘go’ in my heart to create his own family unit. Parenting at every age is a balancing act and challenge. I love following your special relationship with your incredible daughter and as the mother of two sons found a more personal connection in the nature of this blog post. Thank you Angie…Now I don’t feel quite so….guilty! ?
Oh my gosh, your story just made me tear up! But it sounds like there are two boys out there with a pretty spectacular mom
I can’t even imagine (yet!) the challenges of having adult children making their own adult decisions. I suppose it’s all a process and maybe a bit of a dance too … Thank you so much for sharing your story – I LOVED reading this!
I love this! Parenting is such a paradox, isn’t it? Mayhem is one special little girl, and it is abundantly clear that she is being raised by wonderful, supportive parents who give her freedom to be herself! My two are a little younger than Mayhem (4 and 18 mos), but I love finding parenting inspiration through y’all!
Thank you so much!!!
I live through your posts. Truly. I got married later in life and missed out on the having kids part. I’ve come to terms with that regret, but somehow your posts make me whole. Don’t want to get to mushy and make this weird, but thank you for sharing her with us.
Not weird at all! And thank you for taking the time to comment, it made my day
Let me let you in on a little secret: for a very long time I didn’t think I’d have kids at all and so having this kid has changed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. And then the same is true with sharing her antics here online … it was never intended to be anything of public nature, but then one day that all changed too 
We’re learning to embrace the changes we do and don’t see coming (equally!) and feel very fortunate to be able to share the journey with so many wonderful people like you. All the best to you and yours!
This is a sweet read! I’m confident in saying even as adults we can always use our parents’ help. Mayhem is fortunate to have parents willing to lend a hand while she stretches.
Aww, thanks so much!!! And I agree, we can ALL use a little parental guidance every now and then
This is one of my favorite dresses yet. So beautiful and adorable and perfect all at the same time. Bravo, Miss Mayhem!!
It’s totally one of my favs too! Thank you
Yes. Almost 6. My son told me he’s almost 6. He’s only 5.5. Slow down, big guy! And sweet girl!
If I find the pause button, I’ll let you know ….
Drawing and Barbie! How I remember being 6!!! I will have to send a picture of my Hallmark Barbie I got when I was about 6. 20 years ago!
Awesome
My almost 6’er is a Freshman in college. Studying Art and Interior Design. We homeschooled. It allowed her creativity to soar and expand. She’s a brunette beauty as well. Still can’t find the pause button, but I train my mind to only focus on her wonderful wings, and not my emptying nest. Love all your sweet posts.
Thank you!!! And I love that – focusing on her wings and not your empty nest
Oh goodness. Six gave me all the feels. Mine is nine now. Enjoy it while it lasts… because almost ten is no walk in the park.
I feel like ten will be here before we know it …
I read this while nursing my almost 1 year old at 4am and got choked up on tears while trying not to make any noise. I’ve watched my nieces and nephews go from being babies to 11 years old in what felt like no time, but I didn’t realize just how fast time could fly until I had one of my own. I can only imagine how almost 6 must feel…I better start stocking up on tissues now.
I have an almost 6 year old as well and love reading your posts and seeing your pictures. This post certainly struck a chord with me though, we’re having similar conversations about doing things for herself and not needing my help. And while I fill with pride (and tears sometimes) when I watch her become her very own little independent person, there’s part of me that wishes she would just slow down getting so tall and grown up. She did tell me that she’ll still be my babyboo though, even when she’s 16 and even when she’s 88! Xxx
The dress Iooks great and she looks cute in it, and is very creative !
Comment on this if YOU are kid and are inspired by Mayhem and her creations
I SURE AM!
beautiful dress and she looks so cute.
just came across this site/blog.. and unless she grows out of this or changes her mind, youve got a future designer on your hands, start saving now for one of those complicated computerized sewing machines that do everything but clean the kitchen sink! shes talented with a good artists eye.. speaking as an artist, i can truthfully say that, and best wishes to you both!
shes a sweetie but you already know that, as a mom of 3 they do grow up way faster than you want… dammit anyway lol!! enjoy and you’re a great mom… just keep remembering that when shes a teen and shes trying your patience in every way possible and yes thats voice of experience