Dear Peanut,
Happy 5th birthday!
Although you're completely ecstatic about this day, I think my own excitement might actually trump your own. Why? Mainly because I no longer have to keep hearing, "Daddy, daddy, daddy! How many more days until I turn five?"
Don't get me wrong, kiddo. It was cute for awhile but after 5,000 times in one month, I was starting to think about canceling Christmas (FYI, it's in about 80 days.)
Five is an amazingly fun age, Peanut. You've really turned into a person now and it simultaneously enthralls and scares the crap out of me. On the one hand, you still love cuddling on the couch with me and reading books together. On the other hand, you don't always want to hold my hand in public anymore because I might be cramping your style. That kills me!
Here are just a few things I'll want to remember about you at this age:
- You're a ridiculously funny kid. Last year was all poop jokes and fart noises. Now, you do impersonations. You invent hilarious new dances. Your sense of sarcasm grows daily. And you love playing pranks on me (hiding my cellphone in the fridge was a good one!) You also have a uniquely funny way of playing make-believe. While other girls pretend they're princesses, you like to pretend you're a pizza delivery man or a UPS truck driver. You're such a city kid.
- I never cease to be amazed at how you can spread joy to so many people solely by your warm and affectionate nature. You're always there with a quick hug or a kiss to cheer someone up. And when you truly love someone, you're not afraid to say it or show it. Adults could learn a lot from a kid like you.
- You're as stubborn as I am and we have our fair share of epic battles. We never yell or scream at each other. It's more like Jedi warfare. Last week, we left the playground because it was raining. You were so pissed, you gave me the silent treatment and shot Korean Death Stares (KDS) at my back while walking twenty feet behind me in the grocery store. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and tried to give you a hug but you stuck up your hand and said, "Not right now, Daddy. I need my privacy." What the hell? Sometimes I think you're 5 going on 40. I love it.
- You love being a helper. Whenever I cook, you're always next to me as my sous chef or busy setting the table. You love working with Aunt Di in the garden or helping Uncle Paul wash his cars. You even love cleaning the apartment. The funny thing is that you draw the line at bathrooms and whenever you see me scrub a toilet, you think it's the funniest thing you've ever seen. "Haha, Daddy. That's where the poop goes!" (Ok, so you're not completely over the poop jokes.)
- You're enrolled in Spanish and Korean classes and are slowly becoming trilingual. Whenever you hear someone speak Spanish, you like to bust out in song. You know at least 20 different Spanish songs and waiters all over town now laugh when you enter the restaurant singing "Felize Navidad" ...again.
- You're at that age where your tiny brain can memorize anything almost instantly. You love "reading" entire books to me from memory. Alternatively I love teaching you funny lyrics. Last month, I made you call your grandmother and sing, "I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, a you don't stop the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat." I'm still laughing over that one.
- I love having conversations with you. It's one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Sometimes we'll just sit on the couch and talk about things that are on your mind. Sometimes you'll ask me questions about the moon and the stars. Other times you'll talk to me about your grandfather's death or your love of fried chicken. I know it sounds silly because you're only five but I hope that we'll always be able to talk openly with one another like this.
There are so many things that I love about you at this age, I couldn't even begin to put them all down on paper. In fact, I still can't believe that you're 5 today. It's strange. Sometimes it feels like you were just born yesterday. On the other hand, it's hard to remember a time in my life when you weren't in it.
There are just a few things I want to tell you about how I feel about you, Peanut.
I'm not one of those parents who thinks that his child is more special than any other one.
I'm not one of those parents who wants to be best friends with his child.
I'm not one of those parents who tries to be the cool dad.
That being said, I'm so incredibly proud of the little girl you've become. I feel closer to you than with any other human being alive. I love spending all my time with you. And I'm glad you enjoy having fun with your goofy weird dad.
Have a great birthday, Peanut. I love you with all my heart.
Love,
Daddy
P.S. One more thing you enjoy at this age is sticking your finger up every statue's butt. We've practically been banned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are now forced to hang out with lawn statues. I have to admit though, it's still pretty funny!
Happy Birthday to the Peanut! Five rocks.
I know the KDS of which you speak. I get it from my daughter all the time.
Posted by: Rachel | October 06, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Hey Metrodad I'm new here and admire your writing very much. Congrats on the daughter being so smart, I hope to have a baby D some day.
Posted by: christopher paul | October 06, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Chang and Eng wanna know what she got for her birfday.
Posted by: JJ Daddy Baby Momma | October 06, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Happy 5th birthday, Peanut. You are absolutely GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Emily C. | October 06, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Five sounds like such a fun age. My kids are 2 and 4. Life is joyful at times but often a living hell. It gets better, right? It has to!
Happy birthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Kylie | October 06, 2009 at 01:22 PM
She's so cute. I love her dress. Does it come in adult sizes? Hope y'all have fun celebrating her birthday.
Posted by: Jess | October 06, 2009 at 01:28 PM
5 is such a great age! Enjoy it!!!
Posted by: Julie Kang | October 06, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut!!! FIVE? Really? Holy crap, where has the time gone?
I continue to laugh and be entertained at the awesome personality that the Peanut has - and your ability to embrace and encourage her growth (and not be punitive for her showing her personality). I'm 23 weeks preggers and am both enthralled and terrified at the thought of having a child just like me. . . ha ha ha! Stubborn!!! But if she's snarky - that'll be hilarious too!
Thanks for the post! And big hugs for your little pizza delivery fantasy girl! :)
Posted by: ang | October 06, 2009 at 01:43 PM
It's always so great seeing a father express his love for his children. You manage to do it so effortlessly and beautifully. The Peanut is lucky to have you as her father. Happy 5th birthday!
Posted by: Leora | October 06, 2009 at 01:54 PM
She looks just like you, MD!
Posted by: BW | October 06, 2009 at 01:55 PM
That butt thing is just wrong.
Funny.
And wrong.
Best of birthdays to Peanut.
Posted by: always home and uncool | October 06, 2009 at 02:10 PM
happy birthday, peanut!
Posted by: beyond | October 06, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Happy Brithday, Peanut! What an adorable, infectious smile!
Posted by: Emily | October 06, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Hey Miss P, you don't know me and I don't know you 'cept thru your old man's funny ramblings. And he sure is funny! I guess that's where you get your humour from. Happy birthday! A whole hand, that's awesome. Here's to many more to a seriously hilarious, cute and smart kid! Bonne fête à toi!
Posted by: ChantaleP | October 06, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Happy birthday, Peanut! I should try that statue butt trick... :)
Posted by: J | October 06, 2009 at 04:55 PM
She is so cute. I am really looking forward to five, I've read that 5-8 are called the "Magic years" because kids are so fun and sweet at those ages.
Posted by: haitian american family of three | October 06, 2009 at 05:17 PM
What I love about your blog is 1) that it makes no attempt to court favour or followers and 2) is so honest and 3) will be a priceless artefact for the Peanut in 5, 10, 20 and even 50 years. It's exactly what my blog should be and maybe one day will become!
Happy Birthday to Peanut.
Posted by: Steve | October 06, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! I was really expecting to see her giving that panda his proctology exam though!
Posted by: Brian | October 06, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Happy Happy Peanut!
Posted by: christina | October 06, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Happy birthday to the Peanut! I hope you had a wonderful day, and got all the packages you could possibly deliver, when you play UPS driver.
May you grow up and fully appreciate the wonderful dad you have.
Posted by: landismom | October 06, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Happy Bday Peanut! Keep inspiring your dad with these awesome entries!
Posted by: BostonGirl | October 06, 2009 at 08:59 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! I love the blog.
Posted by: Eric | October 06, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Happy birthday to your lovely daughter! Love your blog!
Posted by: Alana | October 07, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Your love and affection for your daughter are so wonderful. When she's older, she's going to cherish reading all these notes that you write to her. It's really touching, MD.
Posted by: Leslie K | October 07, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Happy Birthday, Peanut. You are so beautiful and smart and if you ever feel the need to run circles around a couple of dudes from Calfornia, TheMonk and Golden Boy are available.
Posted by: Grandmother | October 07, 2009 at 01:36 AM
happy birthday miss P.
I really hope that I smart and funny just like u when I was 5.
hhh.... I wish you'll enjoy your rock age.
Fiva Five ...... !
Posted by: Account Deleted | October 07, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Yep, familiar with the KDS. Soon the eye-roll of derision will arrive. About age 7.
Posted by: jacob | October 07, 2009 at 06:09 AM
We don't call it KDS, we call it Death Eyes - maybe that's because my granddaughter is Chinese. lol
Posted by: carosgram | October 07, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Five is the best! I hope you have an awesome time. I love reading about parental love from somebody who so surely gets it. This post makes my day. Happy Birthday, Peanut!!!
Posted by: Celeste | October 07, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Happy 5th!! In Singapore, we have a term for it called "Eye Power". Actually it refers to something else but you wouldn't know the difference, would you?
I'm not making sense cause its late but Happy Birthday Peanut and love this blog!
Posted by: Daphne | October 07, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Happy Birthday Peanut!
MD love your blog, keep up the great work as a loving and caring dad.
Posted by: Anna | October 07, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Hahaha, she's so cute! Happy birthday, peanut!!! Trilingualism rocks, not that I am biased or nuttin'. (I don't know that if what I speak really passes for Korean, but it's close enough.) I only know like 3 or 4 songs in Spanish tho, so Peanut clearly kicks my butt.
Also, Daphne, Koreans use a similar word- 눈치 or noonchi, which I think does translate into eye power. You're right, noonchi isn't KDS. I don't know what Koreans call KDS in Korean, if they even use the term.
Posted by: Jae Young | October 07, 2009 at 01:38 PM
HAHAHAHAHA! She is hilarious, she reminds me so much of my daughter at that age. Aside for sticking fingers in statue's butts. That is purely her own, but funny as hell!
My daughter at five loved to imitate as well; daddy headbanging in the car, mommy talking on the phone, daddy raking the yard (she was such a great helper until she figured out it required actual work).
Congrats to the Peanut on another milestone in a road of thousands, may she live a happy life and keep her wits and charm about her till her life comes to an end.
Posted by: Jason | October 07, 2009 at 02:52 PM
aww those are such amazing things u've listed for her :) Funny little girl is going to be loved by everyone around :D
:) Happy birthday, papa's Peanut! :)
Posted by: Shruti | October 07, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Happy birthday!
Wow, I know you've heard this every year, but she is definitely turning into a little lady. Peanut is very lucky to have a dad like you.
Posted by: enygma | October 07, 2009 at 06:39 PM
My littlest boy is 5. It is indeed a funny age. I'm sorry I haven't read a ton of your posts so I don't know if you've mentioned it before, but... One thing to do is interview her a few days a week for just a few minutes at a time on a flip camera. Over time, that compiles into a really nice record book of their personalities.
Posted by: Keith Wilcox | October 07, 2009 at 09:41 PM
happy birthday! she's really cute!
Posted by: jk | October 07, 2009 at 09:46 PM
I'm looking forward to seeing my son when he gets to that age. Happy Bday Peanut! And all the best Metro D!
Posted by: paka | October 07, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! She's turning into quite the young lady.
And what's this? Metrodad, you've been cooking? More than stuff from cans, I hope?
Posted by: Wandering Chopsticks | October 08, 2009 at 04:58 AM
Those conversations are amazing aren't they. It's weird how they sort of creep up on you. I'll suddenly notice that we are really talking about something beyond the usual, and I can't believe what she's telling me. (I have 6yr old twin girls, so i love reading about peanut. It makes me notice things again) I wrote this about listening for a local parenting mag: http://www.strongfathersmaine.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=18
Posted by: twinbabiesdad | October 08, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Happy Birthday, Peanut! I hope my future kid is as precocious as you. Your blog is incredibly hilarious yet amazingly poignant, Metrodad. Great job! Take care, all the best and may Peanut grow into a mini you!
Posted by: Justina | October 08, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Based on the panda's expression, it's been visited by the Peanut previously...happy birthday to a beautiful girl with a wonderful father.
Posted by: Papa Bradstein | October 08, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! She's one of a kind and just about the cutest little thing I've ever seen.
Posted by: Hetha (wife of cheese czar) | October 08, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Happy birthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Holmes | October 08, 2009 at 05:55 PM
She's adorable. She must have daddy wrapped around her little finger!
Posted by: Kiki | October 08, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Happy late 5th birthday Peanut!!!!
MD,
You are a truly amazing father! It makes me sooo happy to see a dad that is so active in his daughters life! My dad was a very hands on dad, and it really means the worlds to me. My father passed away when I was 14 and I will always cherish the memories I have with him! I know the Peanut will feel the same way about you when she is older! Thanks for sharing your special bond with us!
Posted by: Nanny Lexy | October 08, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Is that panda about to get a shocker? Look at its open mouth and frightened eyes. Perhaps he just got a shocker and is trying to decide if he wants another one.
My girl just turned 3, so I love reading about how fun her next year will be as you move on to new experiences with your girl.
Posted by: Muskrat | October 09, 2009 at 10:40 AM
u touch my heart in many ways on how you are as a father to peanut! happy bdae peanut!
Posted by: oph | October 10, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Happy belated Birthday Peanut! I very much admire that you wrote her this love letter on her fifth birthday for the world to see.
I think I'm going start doing the same thing from now on for my kids (all six of them lol), and my wife as well. It will be really neat to sit down with them and read the series at different points in our lives moving forward.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Chris | October 12, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Great letter. I might steal it, since my 3 year old son as the same nickname -- I wouldn't have to change a thing!
(He's half chinese -- for some reason it occurs to me that "Peanut" is the nickname that General Stilwell gave Chiang Kai-Shek...)
Posted by: bookishdad | October 15, 2009 at 09:01 PM