Dear Brady,
Happy Birthday! You're halfway to being an adult! In many ways, it does seem like you're at a middle ground. Adulthood certainly seems far away, but so does you as a baby. You show moments of great maturity and many other moments of....not maturity (yes, lets call it immaturity).
You've taken life during a pandemic in stride and highlighted that you don't need much to be happy. You told me bedtime was the worst because you just want to get sleeping out of the way. You go to bed each night devouring Big Nate books and you wake up each morning ready to down three scrambled eggs, five sausage links, a waffle, and a two bowls of cereal. Of course, you need that fuel to sustain yourself for the long day ahead, because you probably won't have time to schedule in a snack. While many are home bored, wondering how they will pass the hours in the day, you are wishing there were more. After all, there is so much to do!! One hour I may find you playing capture the flag with neighbors, the next one, you'll be by yourself organizing baseball cards, the next you'll be making a fort in the woods, and the next you'll be scavenging the house for cardboard boxes for some art project you've dreamt up. You've stolen most of my yellow paint so that you could paint sticks to double as goal posts. Lately, you've decided to transform the upstairs playroom into the "Carolina Room." Jerseys are hanging, balls are displayed, furniture is rearranged. You will be a great manager one day as you have an impressive ability to motivate those around you into action. You have no problem delegating tasks and since its your birthday, that's about the nicest way I can put it.
I love how you immerse yourself into a project. I don't suspect "lack of passion" will be on any report cards or job evaluations in your future. You love creating new things and you are by far the best sketch artist in our house. You love playing with your brother and with friends, and you always want to know what is next. You are fidgety and a bit fidgety, something I've learned as your "teacher" during this Homeschooling period, but give you a project you're excited about and you will be hyper-focused.
I continue to be amazed by how much you and your brother get along, particularly during these pandemic times. You both are better off because of the other, and it warms my heart to watch Jackson watch you. And those moments when you want to include your sister in your grand plans? Well, those times are just the best.
I love you very much, even when I'm homeschool you. And that's saying something!
Love,
Mom
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Letters to Jackson: 7 years old
Dear Jackson,
You've been counting down the days until your birthday for a while now, and seeing you wake up with a grin on your face is how I'd love to start every day. Your grin has changed over the course of a few months as you've lost your front two teeth. More specifically, you pulled out your front two teeth, one which was questionably ready, but YOU decided it was ready, which is a good reflection on your personality. Forcing you into anything never works very well for us, as you have a pretty good mind about what you’d like to do and when you’d like to do them!
You are a gentle soul and have such a kind spirit. You are sensitive and tender, and you have taught me that compassion and calmness always trumps anger and frustration. I could fill page after page describing your small daily acts of kindness. They come naturally to you and my great hope is that your older brother will learn the joys of giving, not just the benefits of receiving. Yes, younger brothers can teach, too. If you see I'm busy in the kitchen, you'll get whatever it is you need, even if it requires finding a stool to climb up on the counter, and even if asking me would be much easier. You'll humor your sister when she wants to put makeup on you. You'll bask in your brother's glory when he's won a big game and share in his excitement as he gives you the play-by-play. You’re generous with your hugs and your smiles.
I've been thankful for you since the day you were born, but maybe no more thankful for you than I have these past few months. You’ve taken the changes of life during a pandemic in stride and seem perfectly happy with the calmer pace of life. You’re quick to see the upsides in any situation and the good in people.
As I tucked you in tonight, you told me, “I just wish you knew how much I want to say thanks and how much I love you. This was just the best day.” It rained all day, you had to do “homeschool,” and you had no party. But that’s not what you’ll remember. You remember your “gear bike” and what a great surprise that was. You’ll remember dad bringing you to the baseball cages and meeting Coach Fox and some players. You’ll remember having the attention on you for one whole day. You’ll remember the birthday messages people sent you. And I’ll remember a grateful boy who makes me proud to be his mom each day. I love you, Jackson.
Love,
Mom
You've been counting down the days until your birthday for a while now, and seeing you wake up with a grin on your face is how I'd love to start every day. Your grin has changed over the course of a few months as you've lost your front two teeth. More specifically, you pulled out your front two teeth, one which was questionably ready, but YOU decided it was ready, which is a good reflection on your personality. Forcing you into anything never works very well for us, as you have a pretty good mind about what you’d like to do and when you’d like to do them!
You are a gentle soul and have such a kind spirit. You are sensitive and tender, and you have taught me that compassion and calmness always trumps anger and frustration. I could fill page after page describing your small daily acts of kindness. They come naturally to you and my great hope is that your older brother will learn the joys of giving, not just the benefits of receiving. Yes, younger brothers can teach, too. If you see I'm busy in the kitchen, you'll get whatever it is you need, even if it requires finding a stool to climb up on the counter, and even if asking me would be much easier. You'll humor your sister when she wants to put makeup on you. You'll bask in your brother's glory when he's won a big game and share in his excitement as he gives you the play-by-play. You’re generous with your hugs and your smiles.
I've been thankful for you since the day you were born, but maybe no more thankful for you than I have these past few months. You’ve taken the changes of life during a pandemic in stride and seem perfectly happy with the calmer pace of life. You’re quick to see the upsides in any situation and the good in people.
As I tucked you in tonight, you told me, “I just wish you knew how much I want to say thanks and how much I love you. This was just the best day.” It rained all day, you had to do “homeschool,” and you had no party. But that’s not what you’ll remember. You remember your “gear bike” and what a great surprise that was. You’ll remember dad bringing you to the baseball cages and meeting Coach Fox and some players. You’ll remember having the attention on you for one whole day. You’ll remember the birthday messages people sent you. And I’ll remember a grateful boy who makes me proud to be his mom each day. I love you, Jackson.
Love,
Mom
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