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