Happy Eleventh!

Dear Ryan,

Today you turn eleven! 

It's so hard for me to believe that it's been eleven years since we brought home that tiny 6 lb 10 oz baby and thought, "Oh my!  What do we do now?!"  Somehow, you've managed to survive

your parents as we've made all of the mistakes parents make with their first born. 

Hopefully that will continue, as I'm sure we'll make more!  :)

How to describe you at eleven?

^You love to learn...especially science.  I love to watch as you pull out your science kit and let your sister help you with experiments.

 

^Playing the saxaphone is your passion, and you fill the house with beautiful music.

^You've inherited both your dad's and my love for books.  You also inherited my ability to stay up late in the night because the book is just too good to put down!

^Most toys are a thing of the past.  You'll still have Nerf battles in the backyard with your friends and you'll occasionally play with your Legos. 

^Your uncle and Hop keep you supplied in your quest to build up your collection of knives.  They've taught you knife safety well, but this mother's heart still skips a beat occasionally.

^When you opened your birthday and Christmas money this year, your first thoughts were to buy something for your sister, for your dad, for Hop...and you offered to buy me a mocha...and I let you!

^Most of the time, you are a sweet, kind young man (I can't say little boy anymore!) with a soft heart who thinks of others.  Sometimes, we have moments of frustrastion and anger as you learn that we are indeed still your parents and still get to tell  you what to do. 

^You split your time between being nice to your sister and being mean to her.  The two of you can get into some pretty emotional arguments, but you can also be so sweet to each other. 

^You still give me hugs and tell me you love me.  I savor each and every time since I know that, someday soon, it will change.

^You do really well in school, but you do occasionally try to test the boundaries.  It's hard

for me as your mother to see you experience the consequences, but I love to see that the lesson is learned and the behavior not repeated.

^You are growing up so quickly.  From the time when you were a tiny little guy walking at ten months, to singing your ZYX's at two, to learning to fly at three, preschool at age four, being the best big brother at five, starting your long school career at six, learning the joy of a best friend at seven, adapting well to a new state, new friends and new school at eight, finally getting your first dog at nine, and trying new things at ten (saxaphone and basketball), we've enjoyed every moment.

Happy eleventh birthday, Ryan!