Happy 9th Birthday Wyatt

My dearest Wyatt,

Happy 9th birthday. As I told you, its cool, because this is your last year in the "single digits."  We had a kids birthday party at home this year.  You invited your friends from school and the neighborhood kids.  We had a balloon creator/magician here (made the coolest things- a Mario, an octopus etc) We did a pinata and shot off soda and mentos geysers.  (What a mess that was!)  You really had a great day, and I'll never be able to describe the feeling I get when I see you freely happy.  It was a really great day.

You're getting quite tall (I'm going to measure tonight and put it in here) about a foot or better more and you'll be as tall as me!  As each day passes I'm faced with the fact that you are growing up. You are growing into a little man.  Your personality is changing, you are thinking more critically, and your humor is expanding.  I LOVE that you can appreciate a good pun. (Mommy LOVES puns)

You started off 3rd grade LOVING it. Its starting to get a bit harder, but your grades are really great. A's, B's  and this weird stray D this quarter from Science. I have no idea why, because you love science, though, when I asked you, you said its because you aren't doing experiments right now, and those are your favorite.

Your dad and you are best buds.  You two are building buddies and video game partners.  I'm not part of that world. (I attempt to help build with you and you kindly suggest that we should wait for dad...its hilarious)  You and your dad have a special connection that way. You are a really lucky kid to have a dad that gets down on the ground and settles in for the long haul building projects with you. Kid, we are blessed.

You attempted golf this year and gave cub scouts a go again.  But you are falling out of interest in them.  I'm pushing for you to join a sport of any kind, but its not going well. Its not you. It may never be you to be a sports kid- and that's ok. I just want you to be happy and a lot of times that can be found in group sports.  We'll see.  You are showing interest in golf again as of this week...so maybe we'll give that another go this year.   I'm forcing you into swim lessons even though you are terrified. I keep telling you that we are always going to live around water and being able to swim is a necessary life skill.  Baby, as with a lot of things I push you on and you don't like me for, you'll thank us one day.

You and your sister get along pretty well. Grudgingly at times. Shes a little wild, and you are more reserved- the two don't line up sometimes. You two have private jokes and games- its really cool. While you aren't wildly protective over her yet, you are genuinely concerned whenever shes hurt or sick.  You will stop everything you are doing to get her a boo boo buddy or try to make her laugh. 

You are affectionate, caring and super smart. You are never without a great idea or plan.  You care about others feelings and don't like to offend anyone if you can possibly help it. Example- "Mom, I don't want to make you feel bad, but I really don't like this dinner, I mean, there are parts that are good, but others not so good."  You're adorable.

I love you to the moon and back.  I love you even when you cant see me. 
Happy Birthday little man.
Mom

moments

I had a cool moment with Emma this morning. We were sitting on the floor together, she on my lap and my arms around her while she ate her cereal.
As usual she was full of questions.
I kissed her head and tell her (as I've been telling both of the kids lately) "I love you, even when you cant see me."
So, this sparked a question from her- "When you arent here anymore, if you die, whos going to help me get on the computer?  Who knows your passwords?"  haha. I just told her that "if I wasnt here anymore, she doesnt need to worry about anything like that because daddy and probably grandmas or maybe a nice nanny would be here looking after you both and would know all the answers.  You will always be taken care of. Your only job is to know mommy still loves you even if you cant see me and you need to think of me in a smile."
We cuddled until we were late for school.

There really are no words to describe the way I feel about Wyatt, Emma and Randy.