Nine Years Old

Nine years ago I had no idea what you would be like on August 28, 2009, your halfway mark to adulthood. All I knew was that my due date had come and gone nearly 2 weeks before. While we could hardly wait to meet you, you apparently weren't in a hurry to meet the world. It took us awhile to figure out that this was part of your personality: you do things on your own timeline and you're not about to be pushed into something you're not ready for.

You are warm, sensitive, bright, active and fun-loving. You love music, reading, and climbing. As an introvert, you need and value your quiet time alone, but you love to be with your family and friends as well. You and Toby love to play together and your laughter is a comforting soundtrack to our days.

Just a few years ago you were extremely shy and it was difficult for you to talk to adults. Today, it is easy to see you connect with others. You make friends easily. You will talk to just about anyone, and although the subject is often whatever is on your mind at the moment, you are comfortable and confident talking to grownups.

Watching you move your body has always been seeing distilled pure joy; whether it's your laughter as you swing up high in a swing (and lately, fly off the swing onto the ground), your cartwheels across the lawn, your abandon as you flip off the trampoline or careen off the vault in gymnastics. It is wonderful to witness and I hope you always keep that freedom of movement: it is a gift. This year, you have developed a love for soccer and you have fun on the field!

That you would develop a love of reading was my wish for you when you were born. I've enjoyed the journey that began with my reading picture books to my baby Jonah to helping you learning to sound out words and reading chapter books together to your now independent reading.

You are sensitive and thoughtful. You have always had BIG feelings and equally big reactions to your feelings. Your sensitivity is a wonderful trait, and allows you to empathize with others and feel great joy when all is right in your world. It is when all is not right in the world that leads to problems. You have matured a great deal in the last year and are learning to work through some of the frustration and disappointment that you feel so deeply.

I was so proud of you when you began giving your money to Simpson Housing Services and your face lights up when you talk about wanting to be a hero by helping others.

This past year, you have started to stretch your wings a bit and are expressing a wish for more independence. You have begun taking Zoey on short walks and sometimes opt to stay home alone for five minutes if we're out walking around the block. I can see you chafing for more independence; I feel our struggles with how much and when to let go and when to hold tight. I know that this will be a dance that we'll have plenty of time to perfect over the next nine years as the transition from dependent child to independent adult occurs. Your new room is one step in this transition: you seem to love having a space that you can call your own and I'm glad we could give you a birthday gift that you will enjoy for years to come.

Jonah, I am so proud of the boy you've become and the wonderful unique combination of traits that you possess. I could not have imagined you nine years ago; and yet, today, I cannot imagine NOT having you in my life.

Step confidently into this bright new tenth year; embrace each day and all it offers!

Happy birthday, Jonah! I love you!

Summer's Last Days. . .

Last weekend we celebrated summer by camping at Mille Lacs- Kathio State Park on a perfect summer weekend.
Days were warm and we fished, swam, hiked, and climbed a fire tower. Well, Jonah and Ken climbed while Toby and I stayed below and watched the tower sway.
Nights were cool so we bundled up in sweatshirts and roasted hotdogs and s'mores over our campfire.
We donated lots of blood to the Minnesota Mosquito Donation Project despite the layers of bug repellent we had to chisel off our skin when we got home.
Being outdoors and being together on one of the last weekends of summer was good for the soul!

Toby's 6th Birthday Celebration(s)

Toby celebrated his special day with his best buddies: seeing the new movie "G-Force," a pinata, backyard fun, and a special soccer ball birthday cake (thanks, Deb)! For his "family birthday," Toby had a special dinner of macaroni and cheese with strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Happy Birthday, Toby!

~thank you, Christiane, for giving me the idea to write birthday letters to my children~

Toby, I remember clearly that Thursday morning when you were born.

Six years later I can’t imagine our lives without my sunny, sweet and loving Toby!

You love to cuddle, ride bikes, play trains and soccer … You love music, books, and board games ... You’re my kitchen helper, specializing in blueberry muffins and dishwasher duty.

We’ve learned (the hard way!) that you are proud of your schoolwork and like to save your projects. You take care of your things and feel deeply hurt if one of your treasures or toys breaks.

You process by talking, and although shy, you are an extravert. You may someday feel like a stranger in a strange land with this family of introverts. You share many stories about your day and it is delightful to gain this insight into your world.

In the last year, you have grown and developed tremendously. School is part of this growth and I remind myself that one year ago we were not entirely sure you were ready for kindergarten. Your teachers loved you and it was wonderful to watch you come out of your shell this year. You take great pride in your good behavior and try so hard to do everything well. My heart ached seeing your frustration at not being “perfect” at cutting paper or coloring a picture. After many teary days, the sun re-emerged as you announced “It doesn’t have to be perfect, Mommy; I just have to do my best.”

Your confidence has also soared: reading aloud in school, starting piano lessons, and climbing in the Badlands with Jonah are all things you would not have done just one year ago.

You’re our resident worrybug; this year we have been through fear of fires, floods, tornados, bees, bears, and boats. As your vocabulary grows, you are able to clearly articulate your anxieties; talking about them seems to help (as does your thumb). You’ve demonstrated remarkable will power by giving up thumb-sucking (twice!). Although the thumb is back this summer, I know one day soon you will give it up for good.

You love and admire your brother and it is a joy to watch the closeness between you. You parrot Jonah’s words and actions, and while some of the attitude you adopt drives me crazy, the love and admiration behind your behavior is endearing. You and Jonah know how to push each others’ buttons, but you also genuinely love playing together. I am glad you will always have each other.

I cherish the special times we share early on weekend mornings when you and I wake up early. I treasure our books before bedtime (that sounds like a “Magic Tree House” book title, doesn’t it?!) I enjoy your running commentary about whatever is on your mind. I love the way you catch my hand and say “Mommy!” and the way your face lights up when you see me.

I am so proud of the wonderful little person that you’ve become

and so honored to be your mom.

I love you, Toby!