thirteen years

Mase. Welcome to your teenage years. 

This is the year you have decided to get into shoes. Really expensive shoes that you'll grow out of because you definitely haven't hit your growth spurt yet. I remember really wanting a few things that were too expensive and any time I was able to get something off that list, it really did make me as happy as I knew they would (ha!) so I get it. However, we're only letting you have one pair, not the 4 or 5 like your friends seems to have, because you need to practice being smart with your money. You're welcome! : ) 

You've proven, again, that you have the sweetest heart. It's just the way you think about things. You told me you want to get your neighbor friend a cool outfit for his birthday because he was telling you he wished he could wear better clothes. You also invited him to your birthday party even though he's not in the same group as your other friends. You also randomly mentioned that if you owned a McDonalds you would hire a homeless person and make sure they could take a shower and eat before they started. There are other examples, because that's just who you are, but these two really show how you think about things. And I love it. 

You've also proven, again, that "stress" isn't really a word you need in your vocabulary. : ) You don't have test anxiety or really any worries about school at all. You don't worry about time...who worries about that?! (grrrr.) You also have never worried about sports. Andrew commented the other day that you remind him of his friend in how you play. You work hard, you have fun, but if it's not a good game, you don't beat yourself up over it. All I can say is, you've been like that since before you were born, so at some point it should probably stop surprising me how laid back you really are.

I hope you don't let your teenage years turn you into a punk. I'm going to keep a close eye on you and help you out if you need it. But I'm pretty confident you got this! But I'm here just in case (along with your friends' parents because they're awesome, too). But you got this. : ) Go get it, kid. 

Hey! Remember when we went to Hawaii?!! 

Love you. 

P.S. You *still like me to take your socks off for you. Goofball. I feel like this will be the last year, but I had to make a note for the official record that it is still happening. : ) 

twelve years

Well, you're twelve and I'm late on writing this. For the last 5 years, you have been almost the exact height of Andrew at a year younger than you are. This year you were way behind him, but since then (it's been about a month and a half) you have grown a ton! I'd say it's already been about an inch and a half. I'm so curious to see what this year brings (not just with your height!). : ) 

You are still in love with video games and your phone. But now you actually use your phone to talk to people! You made friends with the siblings on Andrew's baseball team this year and you guys are keeping in touch even though baseball is over. They happen to be girls. Andrew has decided you're a pimp. You're fine with that. 

The other day you were telling me that school doesn't stress you out at all. You go to school and then forget about it. Ha!! I mentioned you'll need to think about school a little more this year and you said that's fine. You'll do your homework and then forget about school again. It's awesome to be so stress free. To be honest that's how I rolled, so I love it. 

I need to add a quick note about your actual birthday. One - you asked to go to Wild Waves and ended up being a great time! It was about a month late though because your friends had things planned and we decided it'd be more fun to just wait for everyone to be able to make it. Two - your actual birthday was the hottest day in WA history. Things were closed because their AC couldn't keep up and some roads actually even buckled from the heat. Even grocery stores had problems and had to toss a bunch of food because they couldn't keep it cold - even though it was under huge plastic sheets to try to help keep it cold... It was weird. We tried to do your normal birthday meals but it failed big-time. Your breakfast choice was Crown Donuts. They were closed because of the heat. Your second choice was Starbucks but they were closed, too! So you settled for Panera Bread. Then for dinner you asked for the new pizza place. Unfortunately right after breakfast I saw a facebook post that the pizza place was closed due to heat. It was okay though. You're a little bit like me in that area too and you know your birthday is awesome no matter what happens. : )

At the beginning of the month, I went back to school to be a teacher. One of the main things that pushed me into finally going for it is because you told me I should do it and that you've always thought it would be cool to have a parent that is a teacher. And since then you've given me ideas on how to manage my classroom and I love it all! You have great ideas. I told you you should be a teacher but apparently you're not interested. 

You were invited to join the select soccer team this year and you're having a blast. You seem to be liking soccer more now than ever before and you're really good at it! This is the year you play with a full team on a full field. I'm excited to see how this year goes once league games start! Because I like soccer now, thanks to you.

One last thing for the record book. A looooong time ago I told you how great it feels when someone else takes your socks off after a long day. Since then, I have pretty much taken your socks off every day. That is not what I had in mind when I told you about this amazing thing. But here we are, you twelve, and me still taking off your socks. Andrew asks about once a month. I'm curious to find out if you ever stop asking. I feel like I'll be doing it until you move out. Ha! 

Thanks for being awesome. I love you too much. And I win. No matter what it is. I win! 

Love, mom. 

eleven years

Well, it now takes both hands and one toe to show how old you are. : )

I feel like you are naturally making the switch to ditch elementary school and move on to middle school. You and a friend have started a YouTube channel to record your skateboarding progress (both skateboarding and YouTube seem pretty grown up to me). And because everyone knows that to be a good YouTuber you need "merch", you guys created sweatshirts (currently in the process of being made now). You've also been putting thought into your style for next year and talking things over with Andrew since he happens to also be thinking of making a style change next year. And to top it off, you're a night owl who loves video games and would sleep all day if we'd let you. You also have a phone now, so I believe you're 100% ready to be eleven and heading off to sixth grade.

Your birthday fell during the COVID-19 pandemic. When it first hit and we were all asked to stay home, people were doing drive by birthdays. People were lining up with decorated cars to say happy birthday out the car window and then head home. Thankfully we're in phase 2 now, so you were able to have a couple friends over. It was still odd, and we had to remind you all about social distancing and were sure to have individual snacks and treats as much as possible. We also made everyone stay outside/in the garage so there would be fresh air. And I made sure to get your slice of ice cream cake out so you'd blow out the candles on just your section instead of the whole thing. Which really has always been a little gross, but until now it has been what everyone did. But man, times they are a changin'!

You still love soccer (another thing messed up by COVID) and you are still a kind kid. The latest example I have is when you went to see if a guy needed help after tipping his canoe. He was a large man, and there was literally nothing you could've done to help him, but you hopped on your paddle board (without a life jacket because "mom, it's just right here and he might need help") and headed out to check on him. : ) You still also like to joke and try to trick people. The problem is now we never believe you because you joke/trick all.the.time. Seriously. All the time. Even things that don't make sense - like when dad asked how practice went and you told him you made all your shots except 2 out of 2. So we thought the joke was that you didn't make any but told us in a way that sounded like you did make them. But your joke was that you shot about 10 and made them all. Or maybe all except two? To be honest I'm not sure which part was the joke. But you crack yourself up, and I think that's pretty important right now. Because what good is life if you can't laugh! Especially with things being so unknown and a little scary with the coronavirus trying it's best to hang around.

Oh. We're the same shoe size now. Dude! You're also quite proud of the fact that you're no longer the perfect arm rest for me because you're too tall. I've still got you by quite a bit though. My guess is I have until you're 14 before you pass me. And I plan to enjoy every minute of it! : )

I love your sense of adventure. And I (mostly) love that you want me to enjoy the adventures with you. Here's to another awesome year!

Love, Mom

ten years

Mase! Slow down on the growing up, please. There was a big jump this year and you're quickly moving from little boy to young man. And although I love being part of it, I'd prefer that you slow it down, at least a little.

This year you asked for a dog for your birthday, specifically a beagle. : ) It made it easy to keep the fact we were planning to get you a dog a secret because we could act like it was a crazy idea and say "you're not getting a beagle for your birthday!" (you're getting a lab. hee hee).

You also decided to give select soccer a try. You're loving it so far. You haven't had your first tournament yet, but your uniforms are awesome and I think that's enough to make you love it! You are looking really great out there and dad is hoping this will be your sport. You're crazy fast, so it seems like a pretty great fit for you.

Thank you for still being a caring and thoughtful kiddo. Your teacher gave you an awesome compliment by saying you 'not only had a wonderful academic year, but also interact with his peers in a very mature amazing way as well. His leadership and understanding of right and wrong will also be very missed'. That's pretty cool.

Even though I am allowing you to continue getting older (and by 'allowing', you know I mean 'I don't have a choice') I love that you're still up for snuggling, hanging with family, and always up for an adventure. I love that you like painting rocks with me! It's perfect because it's something we can do for 10 minutes or an hour. And you and Andrew are both up for talking to me about ideas and still like to look at the rocks I paint. So thanks for that. : )

I hope you always keep your hilarious sense of humor and your thoughtful & kind spirit. And also, I love you more!

- mom

nine years

You are the coolest nine year old in town. You love to be silly, you're smart, and you have great friends. You also love your family - including extended family. I think that's pretty cool.

You've really grown up over the last year. You don't cry over things that don't need to be cried over (losing a game, not getting your way, etc). You explain yourself if you're getting in trouble for something you don't think is fair. And you really like to be with friends and family.

It's interesting to work things out with you. I sometimes forget how young you are because you really are mature and like to hang out with Andrew and his friends almost as much as you like your own friends. You'd love to be able to do everything Andrew does but I have to remind myself you're nine!! Thankfully you get it. You wish you could do it all but when I say "because you're nine" you totally get it. It probably helps that Andrew always explains that when he was nine, he did/didn't do the same thing as you. Or more commonly he tells you why you have it better than him at nine which always seems to seal the deal for you. : )

You're still kind and sweet and love to snuggle. I love it when you ask me to sit by you or when you ask if you can sit on my lap. Just so you know, the answer is always yes. I don't care how big you are. Yes, I'd love to sit by you. Thanks for asking.

Love you more,

Mom

eight years

I think this year is going to be a good one. You're really figuring out who you are and what you like. You kept telling me about different friends last year and I was worried that you were having a hard time making friends. And then I realized you kind of were, but it was your choice. You kind of just moved on if you found they weren't into what you're into or if they weren't nice. You have a couple good friends - one is our neighbor (Owen) and one is a friend from your baseball team (Josh). And then toward the end of the year you and a couple kids from class really clicked (Logan and Serena). You like people who are funny and nice. I like it!

You still like snuggle time and ask me to carry you downstairs in the morning sometimes. I'm happy to say I can still do it! I keep thinking we're coming to the end of that, but maybe I get another year before you're too heavy. 

Your medicine brand changed so we had to go in for an extra blood draw to make sure we don't need to make any changes. You chose to go on your birthday so that I could be the one to take you. I thought they didn't bother you but you told me that I help make it better (which was pretty much the sweetest thing to hear ever). I've done different little things over the years but lately you've been liking to look at pictures on my phone. This time they wanted you to sit on my lap and I didn't think to grab my phone. You looked a little worried so I pretended my hand was a puppet and joked around with that being even better than a phone. It wasn't, but it was enough to get you through with a smile. : ) 

You've grown enough to ride without a booster. You're a happy dude.

Thanks for being silly and sweet. You, my dear, are my very favorite eight year old in the whole world.

seven years

I tried to talk you into going backwards this year, or at the very least staying six, but you refused. You did offer to skip right to eight though which was nice...

You continue to have a sweet heart. You've gone to a few birthday parties recently and the cards you make are so thoughtful. You always say 'thanks for inviting me' and include a personal note that says how much you like being their friend. You also casually reference your good friends as 'one of my best buddies' and it melts my heart.

You told me you liked your birthday gifts from grandma and grandpa a lot but that you think you'll like the gifts from me even more. Because I know you third best. First is God (because he made you), second is you (because you're you), and third is me (because I grew you). I like your logic. Andrew then chimed in that he knows you forth best. I think he would've argued for a higher spot on the list except your reasons for the order were pretty convincing.

Thanks for being goofy and always up for joking around. It's still easy to make you laugh with a good ol' potty joke, but you're starting to like other jokes too. You love kids YouTube and find jokes and little magic tricks that you do for us.

You're a smart little guy. You think school is easy and you get good grades to back it up. You're still a rule follower for other people and like to push the limits at home. You still like to snuggle, you're starting to really like sports - both playing and watching - and you still like to take your time. The funny thing is you're the fastest runner I know. You keep up with Andrew even though he's older and quite a bit taller than you. You beat me (and I really try). It's amazing. You're crazy fast, but unless you're racing, you're not in a hurry with anything. ever.

This year should be pretty fun as you head into second grade. I'm excited to see what kind of stuff you come up with this year. I'm sure it'll be awesome.

My heart is full to the top.
Love, your mama.