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| Ryan - Six Months |
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| One Year Old |
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| Age Twelve! |
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| This is the very same glare we used to get when he was two and we'd say, "Glare at Mommy!" It was so cute...back then!! Luckily, it's always followed by a smile. |
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| PLEASE no more pictures! |
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| At the end of fifth grade (June 2012), I was able to rest my chin on the top of Ryan's head. Six months later, I can't even do it on tippy-toes! |
Dear Ryan,
I'm not even sure where to start with my letter to you this year.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you are TWELVE YEARS OLD!
How did that happen? I know it's a cliche, but it really does seem like
yesterday when we brought you home from the hospital.
And now we seem to have a mini-adult living with us.
Here's a little about you....for when you {hopefully} look back on this.
You are the most well-rounded kid I know. You are interested in so many things!
You still love books and read SO fast. You sixth grade teacher has asked you to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, so that's slowed you down a bit.
Recesses are spent either playing flag football (gives me multiple min-heart attacks everytime you go
for the ball), soccer or a made-up game with your friends. This winter you plan on playing basketball on the school's team and will run track this spring.
You have straight A's so far in sixth grade. Your teacher works with you to keep you from being bored and is very good at challenging you. He treats you like an adult, which I think
makes you want to succeed even more.
You are in your second year of playing Tenor Saxaphone for the school's band and are in your third year of choir. You were also one of the very few sixth graders selected to play in the
All-City Honor Band. You tried out with your tenor, but they really needed a Baritone sax player. Your regular band teacher found a Bari sax for you the very day you started practicing with the honor band...and you just jumped right in.
You were given a shotgun for your 12th birthday and are planning on going hunting this next year.
We are looking for a Hunter's Safety course so you can get your license. I appreciate so
much the time you've spent with Hop learning how to be responsible with firearms.
You also still enjoy airplanes and flying. Uncle Max took you for a ride in the Warhawk's L-19 Birddog this fall. It was your first flight in quite a while.
This summer we spent a few weeks at the lake, and you were able to go kneeboarding. This past week, you went snowboarding with your friends. You are so much braver than me! I'm glad that you aren't a wimp like me about some things and are willing to try new things!
And, lastly, one of your favorite pasttimes is still picking on your sister. However, mixed in there
every once in a while, are moments of sweetness when you help her with something, buy her something or play with her.
I love your character. You are very responsible and often act much older than your age. You know the difference between right and wrong, and you're not afraid to say no to those things you know aren't right. You are kind to others...both people you know and strangers. You help others when you see the need. You still come to me for a hug and will still tell me you love me (I'm so thankful!!!). When you see me at work on the playground, you don't turn your head in embarrassment {smile} but you and your friends come over to say hi {or try to steal my hat and gloves if it's cold outside}.
I know that this next year will prove to be interesting with you nearing the teen years and entering junior high. I know that I'll need to have more patience, be stronger, have thicker skin...but I also
know that it's going to be so fun watching you grow this year.
Love~Mom
