Dear Benjamin,

Having just tucked you into bed on your last night as five-year-old, I'm reflecting on the past year and how much you have grown. Some days it's as though you're changing right before my eyes.

You are such a wonderfully well-rounded little boy. You still have a real love of building, and you are fascinated with how things work. You love being active - playing sports, taking dance class, or just running wild through the playground. You enjoy all types of arts and crafts. You love music. You are a great friend, always helping others and being the first to compromise when there is a disagreement; you don't back down, but rather brainstorm to be the peacekeeper.

But above all else, you are curious. You ask questions constantly and want to understand the world around you in intricate detail. One night your father and I overheard you trying to explain to your sister the way light makes us see colors... you had asked about it weeks earlier, understood the concept, retained it, and wanted to share your knowledge with Sophie. It was a perfect example of the way you are always learning and the excitement you feel when you can help someone else learn, too. You have a passion about finding solutions to problems and daydreaming about your ambitions. When you learn about a new technology, you always tell us how you're going to do that when you grow up - but you're going to do it even better. You're going to build the biggest buildings and make the most efficient cars - and that's just the beginning.

I have no doubt that you can and will do whatever you can dream. I am constantly in awe of your creativity and your confidence.

You are amazing, and I love you.

Love,
Mama