flying high

You have such a calming energy, and so many things seem to work out so easily for you. I swear it is because you are so calm. Today was exactly what I am talking about.
We went to Bountiful Pond to fly kites. I have so desperately wanted to fly kites since I was a child. For some reason I have never been able to successfully get one in the air. I was so happy you were able to get our wildest kite up in the air just by understanding how it needed to be done. It was flying crazy, but you did it. I was so grateful you gave the kite to me once it was flying and allowed me the chance to fly it. You gave such helpful pointers... walk forward when it is flying hard and walk backwards when it is out of air and dropping.  I got to the fly the kite!! It was a crazy little kite, but I did it. I even flew it over the pond and out of trees. Thanks for being a part of that experience with me; I'm so glad you have had the chance to fly a kite as a kid. And I'm most grateful for the ability you have to make things work out. And even more grateful that you are such a calm and happy son. I'm proud of you and love you!!

Mom

our new home

Our new yard is your element. You are the one becoming familiar with all the hidden places here. Today you found a little hideout in the back corner of the yard where branches and bushes have grown with rounded tops to make an enclosed structure. You gave us a tour and designated it as our new home if our current one burns down. You were showing us all our rooms. Maggie's had some thorns to which she immediately started complaining about. You told her: "Don't worry, Maggie. I plan on doing some remodeling."

You also climbed a tree in our backyard and got stuck. You called for me to call the fire department. I didn't call the fire department. Instead your brother climbed up to your rescue.

a friend in owen

our family loves owen.
he's little, sweet, calm, kind, and funny.
even sam said today that even though owen is will's friend that he actually really likes owen, too.
sam also said that he would love to have owen in our family.
"one thing for sure is owen would make our family funnier." said sam.
i discussed how owen is funny and comes from a funny family.
i said we are fun but are more serious.
will said "we aren't serious. we are strong."
"we are both kinds of strong." said sam
i asked what they meant by strong.
"everyone in our family is just strong with big muscles. even maggie."- will
"yes, but we are the other kind of strong too. like the kind of strong where we can get through anything. like jack jack the kitty dying. we got t through that hard thing together."- sam
yes, sam that is true about our family.
and thank you, will, for noticing that we are strong.
more about owen...
tonight at the festival trees we were talking about the babies who had died and had a tree in their memory.
maggie asked if will almost died.
i explained that he could have.
owen threw his arms around will and said
"i'm so glad you didn't die or else i wouldn't have you!"
owen was trying to convince will all evening to try out for wizard of oz with him.
it took a lot of convincing,
but will finally said he wanted to do it.
owen was super happy, threw his arms around will and said
"i'm so glad! now just stay with me and i will help you through the stage fright."
what a friend! they don't come better than that!
on the way home owen was laying his head in will's lap and pretending to be asleep.
sam asked if he was tired.
his response: "yes! will has asked me so many questions!"
what a night.
i'm hoping owen is a friend for life!

just the way you are

It is hard for me to believe that the first year of your school was so traumatic for you. One would never guess it now. You are confident, happy, and easy going. You love school and take ownership over belonging there. You have many friends, and are well liked by all; you seems to be a bit of the class clown.
You hate doing homework right after school. You need an unwind time, which almost always involves wanting to play with a friend. Today it was Tucker; the 2 of you rode the scooter and made leaf piles. You seemed so happy; sometimes I look at you and am blinded by the aura that you radiate.  
I was cutting your hair yesterday; it looks so good short, and you love doing "cool" hairstyles like all slicked back, spiked up, or just up in the front. You asked what you would look like when you grew up. You said you hoped you would look like Ben or Uncle Troy. :) I said however you looked you would be good looking.  I asked if you liked the way the you looked now and you confidently said "YES!" I  also asked if you liked who you were on the inside, too, and another confident "YES!!" That delights me; I hope you always feel just how you do now.

back to school 2015

I always loved back to schools shopping with Ganny when I was a kid. It was predictable, dependable, and just fun to decide what the first day of school outfit will be. I have been making a tradition of it since 2010. I take you for new shoes, 1st day of school outfit, and a goodie. You are quite a joy to take. You know what you like and want, so you just get it. Yet you are flexible to change your mind on the spot when you can't find what you want.
A few highlights:
*we rode the scooter!! you live for that!! you are a motorcycle and burn out kind of car kid.
*you were climbing the wall at target, and when you jumped up 2 big toots came out. When you got down you said "That surprised me!!" We couldn't stop laughing.
*you originally wanted a type of indoor soccer shoe like Sam currently has. You like them because they don't get as wet as easily that way. We looked and could find nothing. You tried on some solid black Nike's. However, the laces were shorter than you like; it must tie easily and be able to accommodate a double knot. The laces on these shoes were not quite long enough for your liking. I tried to offer other suggestions like buying new laces. You continued to get frustrated and finally said "IT'S A NO GO!!" and then went onto find your new shoe. Which you found easily...a pair of navy blue sketchers with neon yellow as an accent. The most important part was running in the store for a test run. You loved them because of the soft memory foam inside. You had considered a pair of Vans, but quickly decided you do too much running "at gma Jane's" for those shoes.
*for your treat you wanted a cheeseburger, so we went to Five Guys. A favorite comment: you saw a couple hugging and kissing a bit while they waited for their food. As they were leaving you said "XOXO." I asked what you meant, and you said they were in love because they were kissing. You asked if I used to do that to Dad. I said yes, and you said you knew we were still XOXO. You also said that someday you would be XOXO, too. I'm so g;ad you know who you are, what you want, and are comfortable with the way you feel. I'm certain you will have a lot of XOXO. You have a big heart that I can't wait to see be filled up with lots of love.
*you chose a thor shirt with blue "soft" shorts for the 1st day of school. I love your style, and I love how it feels to let you choose what interests you.  I love you.

just rolling with it

A trait that has always stood about you and one that I love is your ability to roll with things and not be upset by every little thing. A favorite story just happened before a recent soccer game. We couldn't find your jersey. You were not too concerned. Instead you pulled a t-shirt from your closet that was the same color of green as your jersey. You decided to turn it wrong side so it would look more like a jersey. You mentioned the silk screening was itchy on your back. I was trying to think up a solution, but before I could you just said "that's ok. I'll just roll with it." Not another word spoken, and you did just roll with it. That is just how you live your life. Hope you always do.

Another example of rolling with it was tonight when Maggie accidentally let go of your helium balloon. Not one negative thing was said and no anger or frustration directed to your sister. All you said was "That's what happens to balloons like that. Sometimes they float away." Bless you, Son, for being such a terrific example of how to live! We all appreciate you!

you are getting big

We have been talking so much lately about how big you are getting. You have started wanting to measure yourself against me to see how tall you are compared to me. Today you stood up to me, and I measured. You said "Well, I'm taller than your milkers now." You always have something clever and hilarious to say!