Nine is just fine, Lukie (as long as i try not to think about ten). it’s that year where you can be a kid in all kid glory. you’re big enough to have adventures and do things you couldn’t do just last year, but still so much kid that you don’t have to waste any thoughts on all that being older business.
you can run, jump, play, and play and play the day away. yes, there is homework, but the real homework at this age, buddy, is to play. you’ll learn more from playing and imagining then from that monstrous math book hidden in your desk (don’t tell your teacher, i said this). read, draw, make and create. these are the days that you will draw upon in your tomorrows. you don’t know it now. and, it probably doesn’t even make sense when you read this, but it will be all kinds of crystal clear when you are fresh out of sense.
i also want you to be able to look back and remember that you are a tender hearted toughie, you might forget this from time to time as you grow and when you are grown. this is who you are. it’s who you are at 9, and who you will be at 90. you feel things deeply and love deeply. it’s not by accident. it’s by divine design. this is how you were weaved together in my womb. it has something and everything to do with who god created you to be and the beautiful unique plan and path that he has set out for you. don’t ever forget you are a tender hearted toughie.
so for now, get to drawing more robots (you are the best robot artist i’ve ever seen), going on backyard adventures, reading more books about predator animals, sports and maybe just a good old story or two (just for me, please), and keep on dreaming about your one day sports car and your some day career as a sports super star.
play the day away, boy.
+ you have to be on the bunk bed ladder to give goodnight hugs
+ high tops are still the only shoes for your feet
+ it’s all about the trading cards right now. football, especially.
+ you mastered a flip w/ a twist this summer on the trampoline
+ you like spicy food + sour candy
+ you ask us what kind of car we want because when you are a millionaire you are going to buy it
+ you are obsessed w/ cars. taking pictures of ones in parking lots + yelling out their names as we drive down the road
+ you shot a rabbit when i was out of town (wahhh), but you also rescued two baby bunnies from a hawk (yahhh).
+ you go to work every saturday morning with your dad and then stop at sonic’s for nerd slushies + tater tots
+ you’ve watched all episodes of wizards of waverly place with your sister
+ your favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons
+ you still like to sneak snacks and stash the wrappers in the weirdest places
+ you like to patrol your siblings
+ your smile is infectious and your eyes pure light
+ you are so strong and athletic
Krystal
Commented on October 6th, 2014 at 11:17am
I love the list. I have been writing a list of likes/dislikes/etc. for each of my 3 kids on their birthday card since they have been 5. They smile and laugh ( or give a bit of a dirty look ) when they read them. My oldest told me that is one of his favourite things I do for them. So much fun to go back and look at how they have grown, evolved and stayed the same.
Trina
Commented on October 7th, 2014 at 11:50am
what a great idea to write them in birthday cards. i’m starting to get the look, too. yesterday, luke looked at the post and said why did you pick this picture and then didn’t read the words. growing up is a tough business, even for the parents. xo . t