Happy 9th Birthday, William!

Dear William,

Happy 9th birthday! Man--it's hard to accept that you are 9 years old. It seems like a year or two ago that you were taking your first steps, singing, "A pirate...a pirate...a pirate" in the bathtub, obsessing over each and every construction vehicle, playing in the sandbox, becoming a big brother; just a few months ago that you were starting school, learning to read, taking Taekwondo, playing baseball, catching your first fish. What an awesome, exciting, sometimes anxious, joyful, adventurous 9 years we've had!

In your 9th year, you finished 2nd grade, learned to fish (and found a new obsession), went to some awesome summer camps where you learned to rock climb and kayak, among other things; you finally jumped off the diving board at the pool; went camping in the rain; stayed with Baba and your cousins in North Carolina, took an awesome road trip to Maine; started 3rd grade; and earned your orange, then green, then purple belt in Taekwondo. You accomplished so much in one year, and learned so much. You should be very proud of yourself!

William, Daddy and I are so proud of the young man you are becoming. Your enthusiasm for learning is such  a joy to behold. We love how you are willing to try new things and are not afraid to fail. This will serve you so well in the future. You are inquisitive and kind, quick to laugh and so easy to get along with. Although Daddy and I often nag you about staying on task and doing what needs to be done, we hope you know how much we love you, no matter what, and that we see what a capable, responsible kid you are. We hope that, as you become more independent--and more annoyed by us--you will always know that we support you and we will help you as much as we know how. We will do our best to encourage you and gently guide you, and then we will stand back to let you make your own way, your own decisions, your own mistakes, and your own accomplishments. We hope your tenth year of life is full of love, laughter, learning, contentment, challenges, successes, and peace.

Love,
Mom and Dad

 

Happy 7th Birthday Seth!

Dear Seth,

Happy 7th birthday! Each year, time seems to pass in a whirling blur, and your 7th year was no exception. You finished kindergarten, played soccer, learned to jump off the diving board, attended soccer camp, attended an awesome outdoor camp where you learned to rock climb, kayak, fish, and how to swim even better than before. We went camping in the rain. You guys stayed with your cousins and Baba and Uncle Chris in North Carolina. Then we took a road trip to Maine and LOVED it, even though you got sick. When summer ended, you started 1st grade with Mrs. Lightbourne. You have thrived in 1st grade! You also played baseball for the 1st time, played basketball in the winter, and soccer again in the spring. You were "Millner Monty" in the school musical production. And you lost your two top teeth, and another one on the bottom! Your top two teeth haven't started growing in yet--not sure what that's all about--but we will always remember your 7th year by that adorable, toothless grin! It has been a fun, busy, exciting, happy year.

You have learned a TON in your 7th year. Your reading skills have improved by leaps and bounds. Your teachers are so impressed by how hard you work and how hard you try and how committed you are to figuring things out. In school you are respectful and kind and helpful to your friends and teachers and we are so proud of you for being such a good friend and student. Your earnestness and work ethic are going to take your very far in life!

Seth, you are such a funny, bright, engaging, charismatic kid. Although you like to argue a lot with Daddy and William and me, you are also so loving and witty and clever. We wouldn't want you any other way. I love to listen to you making up story lines with William for your Playmobil and Lego guys. I love how you like to plan everything out, and I love how thoughtful you are with your friends and neighbors. I can't wait to see what your 8th year of life has to offer. I know you will grow and change and become more independent, but I hope you will always know how much Daddy and I love you and support you and respect the amazing person you are becoming. We want you to feel capable and confident and empowered to keep taking risks, keep learning, and to love and be loved.

Happy birthday to the most awesome 7-year-old we know! We love you,

Mom and Dad