Seven?!

Dear E,

Buddy, how are you SEVEN?! We can't say that we have "little kids" at home anymore.

You're developing into such an awesome human. You're so compassionate in a way that many people never achieve even in adulthood.  For instance, you always make sure to stop and give Bailey pets when you think he's lonely. Your teacher tells us that you're one of the few in the first grade that gets along with everyone, though you definitely have the select few who are deep friends.

Speaking of best friends, we keep waiting for you and J to become 'typical fighting siblings' and yet you continue to be the very best of friends...which includes a bit of squabbles, but nothing compared to the knock-outs that most families suffer. It's a special relationship.

Your joy and optimism brightens every room you're in. You always have this happy go-lucky attitude that is a gift that you spread. For example, where most kids get hurt feelings in things like getting tagged out in baseball, you just smile and literally skip back to the dugout.

You're a learner at heart and have a deep fascination with subjects that are fairly unique to your age (the Titanic, World War II battleships,  geology, 'The Oregon Trail' 80's video game) and others more universal (baseball, race cars, hockey, space).

Academically, you've grown so much in the last year...reading, spelling, math and science. Some kids are drawn to the math/sciences or more of the arts/languages...it's hard to tell with you as you seem to enjoy and do well in everything (except maybe handwriting, but you're fighting with your Dad's DNA + being a little boy, so good luck).

Your imagination is blooming too. It's fun to sit back and watch you run around the house pretending to be hitting a grand slam or commanding a robot expedition into deep space. And it heart-melting to hear you and J take care of her dolls or teach a class full of your stuffed animals.

It's special to see you take interest and get excited about all the things we do as a family, from your first backpacking trips last summer (Big Basin & Angel Island), learning about Catholicism, loving family dinner, getting on your first chairlift, and traveling all over the country.

If the trajectory of these last seven years are indication of where you'll be at 14, 21, 28 and beyond, then we are objectively the luckiest parents in the whole world.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy