Happy 7th to Kenji!

It's been over four years since I last posted to this blog, and about seven since I wrote here with any regularity. Seven years ago is when Kenji was born, about the time my blog writing went out the window. Poor Kenji, I owe him a lot of blog posts! Every little aspect of Tai's early life was covered with pictures, videos, and weekly musings. Gradually, blogging was replaced by lazy Facebook posts from my phone and the immediate gratification of likes.

Kenji's 7th Birthday Party

All of that is to say I regret not writing about Kenji the way I did for Tai, or for both kids these past years. Kenji turned seven today, a momentous occasion that got me pondering how far he's come. He's getting along well at school, making new friends, with boys and girls. He's athletic and fun to watch, chasing down a soccer ball with speed or taking a big swing during t-ball. He likes math, solving problems for the fun of it -- adding up prices of sushi in his head at the restaurant -- to the point where he reminds me ... of me.

What is distinctly not me (i.e., Thu) is Kenji's willingness to speak his mind, directly, without hesitation. This was once a frustrating trait because what was usually on his mind was hunger, exhaustion, or something trivial about toys and TV. But now he has developed his own ideas and emotions -- I suppose they were there all along -- and he has the words to get them out. Anger, love, humor. He's vulnerable. He can be smart, clever, and insightful. Most of all, he's opened up and it's allowed me and others to get closer to him.

Celebrating with school friends.

We weren't always so sure it would turn out this way. It was maybe three years ago at a well-check visit that his pediatrician diagnosed Kenji with "selective mutism." He said nothing to the doctor that day, the way he would say nothing to most adults. Or kids. Or me, sometimes. This had us worried as Kenji started transitional kindergarten. How long could he really stay silent?

Another doctor assured us that Kenji's need to make friends, eat lunch and participate in class would outweigh his reluctance to talk, and thus he would outgrow this "selective mutism" phase. Fortunately, Kenji had a terrific TK, K and now 1st grade teacher, and wonderful preschool teachers before that. They helped draw him out of his shell. We feared Kenji would be overshadowed by Tai, who can make friends easily. But this year, Kenji, with whatever it is he's saying to his classmates and teammates, has made his own set of friends. That is something worth celebrating!

Soccer buddies.

Always his friend.

Baseball buddies.

Halloween time.

Kenji's teacher texted us one day from the cafeteria at lunch. She sent a picture of Kenji eating at the "girls' table," the only boy willing to cross over. Teachers were impressed.

Loving life.

Happy 7th Birthday, Kenji!