Dear Ryan,

In two days, you'll finish second grade. SECOND GRADE! It seems like only yesterday you were this tiny little guy that would just lay there and smile up at us. I miss those days, but I wouldn't trade them for today for anything.

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You've had a wonderful first year here in our new town. The move was probably the hardest on you as you had so many good friends in Portland. Every once in a while, you tell us that

you wished you lived there again. But, by the next breath, you've usually changed your mind to tell us that you'd rather live here. You've been such a trooper...new friends, new school, new meeting, new everything.

(all photos taken by Ryan this past weekend at P-40 Flying Tiger Days)

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You have changed so much over this past year. At your new school, they take school pictures of the kids at the beginning of the year and again at the end. You look so young in your first picture, with three teeth missing and short hair. The photo they took last month...you look so grownup!

You did a great job this year in school. You made new friends right away and jumped right into the school work without missing a beat. You did well in your Gifted and Talented class. Your GATE teacher told me that you have a knack for public speaking (I didn't tell her that you haven't stopped talking since you turned two...you've had LOTS of practice).

You're a very lucky boy for many reasons. You are surrounded by extended family that love you very much and share your interests. They are all so willing to spend time with you.
This past weekend, you spent the day with Uncle Max at the Warhawk for P-40 Flying Tiger Days. When I came to pick you up, all of the employees and fellow volunteers came up to tell you good-bye. You went up to John (the owner), stuck out your hand and told him thanks for letting you volunteer. That did this momma's heart good. Last night, Hop came by for a few hours and you played catch with him. You've got an arm that rivals many kids older than you. It was sweet when you told us that you'd picked the Nerf football because you didn't want to hurt Hop. This next weekend, you'll spend the weekend with all of your cousins, most of your uncles, your daddy and your grandpa on Daddy's side of the family. You'll come home stinky, sweaty, all sugared-up, but oh-so-happy.
What a lucky boy you are!

These past few months, you've been a bit of a pill. You get in trouble and then immediately feel bad for whatever you did. Yes, it takes you a few times to learn your lesson. But your heart is so soft. You'll pick on your sister (I think that brothers are supposed to), but you're the first one there when she gets hurt. When she gets in trouble, you go to her and comfort her. Then, you often reinforce what me or Daddy had told her. She looks up to you so much.
I'm so glad that she has you. I'm so glad that we have you.
Our lives would be incomplete without that smile you try to hide from us.

(Ryan's view of the plane from his seat on the tug. They are pulling the plane to where they want it)

Ryan, as we move into summer, I know we'll have our battles. I'll limit your time on the DS and you'll try to argue for more time. You'll pick on your sister. Your onery streak will jump out occasionally (please, only occassionally!). We'll have our moments when we'll need our space from each other. But I'm looking so forward to spending more time with you without school. Time outside working in the yard, kicking the soccer ball, playing tennis, at the playground, at Hop and Nana's house working in the garden. Time inside reading, working on projects, doing chores, and playing games.
~~
Thanks for being the wonderful boy that you are.

Love~~Mom