I can’t think about it too hard, or I start to remember that we’re technically “halfway”. NINE. How?!
It’s been a big year for you, with lots of changes that have pushed you to grow, and yet a lot of hitting your stride going into these “bigger boy” years. In the past twelve months, you’ve changed grades, changed soccer teams, and up next will change elementary schools. Your world continues to expand and become more complex, but we’re always proud to see how thoughtfully you seem to navigate it all.
We were fortunate to make another annual trek to Naples to spend a week with Papa and Mimi early in the year. Among the highlights of daily swims, warm temps, and a couple outings to parks and kid attractions, it was also your first time driving the golf cart and we began a tradition of you, me, and Dad grabbing a cocktail/mocktail on our final night, just the three of us, before heading home.
You LOVE the rare opportunity to have me, your dad, or ideally both of us to yourself. It can be a simple movie night, or a full blown outing, but you relish your time to be an only. And if you score an Icee on top of that, all the better.
We were FINALLY able to experience a school concert, post Covid, the first since you were in preK! You had a speaking part in addition to the singing/choreography and nailed it.
We’ve always called you “Cautious Crew” — you’ve never been a huge risk taker (and I’m pretty okay with that!). This fact combined with your not exactly LOVE of animals made it a pretty big deal when you elected to do a pony ride alongside Greer at an Easter event. The ponies were so chill and literally walked in a circle, and you were visibly nervous and laughing the whole time. But way to conquer a fear?! 😛
Not more than a few hours after your big risk taking, you endured your first broken bone. We KNEW something was off when you came in the house bawling (you are NOT a crier). You had been on your electric scooter (in a helmet, thankfully!) but hit a rut in the sidewalk and went over the handlebars, breaking your clavicle. We had a wonderful experience with DMOS who got you into a sling for four weeks, and I was so proud of how you handled the onslaught of frustrations that followed — for a month, you were permitted no physical activity (including no gym class, recess, or soccer season), along with learning workarounds for not being able to use your right hand in school. You had your moments of exasperation for sure, but in all, you truly took it in stride.
Four weeks finally passed, and you were able to enjoy the (shortened) soccer season. We saw a little trepidation in the way you played the first couple of games back, but you quickly found your groove again.
Your footwork is getting impressive, and we’re always proud of your positive leadership attitude among teammates. Later in the summer, this all served you well as you made your first select team for the coming fall, Academy. This accelerated level of play was SO good for you and you were SO ready for it. Your overall fitness, skill set, and mental sharpness have all grown by leaps and bounds!
Our summer was increasingly fun as Greer dropped to just one nap and was able to hang for longer outings and adventures. (I also love that having you around so much more means I get a much bigger influx in Crew pics!) We had a mix of lazy days at home, lots of time at the pool, and a mix of camps and activities, including your first go at track camp. You weren’t a huge fan of the field events, but you LOVED (and ranked quite high!) in the sprinting.
We squeezed in a couple “only child” outings this summer including a trip to the Menace soccer game, where you got to go on the field as an anthem buddy, and we toured the Iowa Capitol building just the three of us. I think both events made your top list of summer memories!
One of our favorite parts of parenting is getting to show you both new little corners of the world. This summer we used our 4th of July week to visit Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. We had the BEST long weekend of lounging, eating, boating, and soaking up small town 4th of July lake life. You LOVED boating, which we hadn’t done since before Greer was born and that you could remember.
I love when I catch little boy glimpses still, when something grabs your curiosity and full attention. The recycling center near us opened an interactive mini museum and you were all in reading the various bits of trivia and learning how all the pieces of the puzzle worked.
You are the best big brother, and more than ever as Greer has grown past toddlerhood, your bond is a great one. You genuinly enjoy each other (most of the time), can actually play together, and when Dad or I are at our wit’s end with her, you regularly step in as her handler. Above she had been having a meltdown about leaving the sculpture park. I turned back around to see that you had gone over to carry her, and negotiated her into the car all on your own. That facial expression speaks volumes ha – SIBLINGS, man!
Third grade was a blissfully easy start this year. You were SO comfortable and familiar, had no nerves, and thoroughly enjoyed walking the halls at Open House, greeting teachers and friends and showing us around the building as always. We’ve since learned with the district rezoning, you will move to a different elementary this fall, which has you bummed, to say the least. I think the most frustrating part is that while you will know a handful of friends who will move with you, most of your friends and current staff will all move together to start a new building, whereas you will have to assimilate to a school that’s already established. We chat about it from time to time, focus on the positive, and I’m praying for the growth opportunity ahead of you this coming fall.
A specific memory I have from your 9th year was this day where I got some bonus time with you — after a city water issue, they cancelled only your school building for the day, so you and I and Greer headed to Center Grove Orchard — typically a spot you’d miss out on when G and I go during the week. We went all the time when you were her age and it’s always fun to revisit this spot where we have a lot of memories.
You gave flag football a try this year, when most kids had probably had a year under their belt already, but all the more reason we encouraged you to do it now versus later. Unfortunately we were late to the signup, so you didn’t know anyone on your team and all your buddies were elsewhere together, but you stuck it out and learned a lot more about the game. You’ve become way more knowledgeable than me now to watch a game on tv and make calls even before the refs announce them.
If I have a mental “snapshot” of you in this time of life, it’s this view out the kitchen window — always chilling in the hot tub.
A HUGE lover of music and maker of all the playlists, it was more than fitting that you’d go as a DJ for Halloween. We made you a light up turntable and you loved collecting the compliments, while simultaneously providing a soundtrack to all the trick or treating.
Your first season of select soccer culminated in your (and thus, our) first travel tournament experience. There were wins and losses, thrills and heartache, but it was an incredible overall experience for all of us, and an amazing example of teammate energy. Love this capture of just after you scored a goal. It was SO fun and heartwarming to watch how genuinely excited you all got for each other.
Before we knew it, it was Christmastime again and your list was pretty sparse, having given up on an earlier request for an Apple Watch (which ended up being your surprise big gift). Other faves were Roblox gift cards, and all things comfortable, including a super soft personalized blanket from Papa and Mimi, and cozy slippers.
We got to see another school performance, where you again signed up for a speaking part. It’s so fun to watch you work through the initial nerves of an audience, and then the relief and pride of nailing it.
You’re Roblox obsessed and still love Minecraft, you’re excelling in school, I can’t begin to include pictures of you and all the friends you love to hang with, you have a girlfriend you’re adorably and purely enamored with, Shirley Temples and Icees are the way to your heart, and you’ve never turned down a soft pretzel in your life. You know how to work hard, play hard, and love hard, and there’s not any more I could wish for you than that. Keep being exactly who you are, and I’m confident the life that unfolds for you in the coming years will be nothing short of beautiful. Love you SO much!
