Six

Today is the last day that Elias is six. We spent the day on two snorkel outings, both on the outer side of the reef protecting our anchorage - not the open ocean by any means, but water 1 to 15 meters deep and a long way from shore. And Elias was completely at ease - diving down as deep as he could, over and over, unfazed by the waves slopping into his face when he came up for air, showing no anxiety when he drifted apart from me.

He still plays with stuffed animals, but his abilities in the larger world are growing day by day.