Dear Luke,
You are now a 10 year old! You had been talking for months about how you couldn't wait to be 10, but then a few days before your birthday you started saying you were sad to not be a kid anymore. I assured you that you would still be a kid at age 10, but I suppose the tween days are not far away! I'm glad you still want to be a kid, because I'm happy with that plan, too. :)
We celebrated your birthday big this year! The day before your birthday started off with a birthday breakfast while Honey and Grandpa were here. Then on your birthday, Daddy and I both walked with you and Nora to school, you brought gluten free rice krispy treats with Pokemon napkins for your class to have at lunch, and I picked you up an hour early. Once we got home, you opened some more gifts, we looked at pictures of you as a baby, we had your requested frozen Caulipower pizza for dinner, then off you went to baseball practice with your gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for your team. Daddy said they all stood in a circle and sang happy birthday to you while you danced in the middle. You also told me after school you didn't realize you were so popular anymore, but everybody was telling you happy birthday. I think it was a happy day!
Last weekend, you and Daddy took a special guys overnight trip to Austin. You got to watch Lord of the Rings, visit the Texas Capitol, go on a hike, and eat some delicious gf food. He said you talked the whole way there about everything under the sun. You've really been bonding with Daddy these last few months as you approach some developmental transitions, and I'm so thankful for your relationship. When you got home Saturday, we celebrated with Nana and Papa at Torchy's Tacos. On Sunday, we had your birthday at Main Event with bowling, pizza, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and arcades. It was so fun to see you playing with your friends and I know you had a ball!
So, what would I say about you at 10 years old?
You care a lot about Nora. You two fight plenty and sometimes you say she's annoying, but you care a lot about what she thinks and how she treats you. When I wanted to take a group picture at your birthday party and Nora was sitting on the other side of the table, you called her over and specifically invited her to stand right in front of you. She was beaming. Daddy and I were so proud of you for how you included her, even in front of your friends.
You still like to build with Legos. Uncle Sean got you a big Saturn V Lego set for your birthday, and you wasted no time putting it together. You generally spend less time playing with toys and more time asking for screens, but it was nice to see you so interested in building.
You are a very good baseball player. Something clicked last summer and you are now a confident baseball player who knows how to make crazy catches and clobber the ball when up to bat. Gone is the kid who is afraid of being hit with the ball!
You love to talk. You've been meeting with a therapist virtually over the last several weeks and have really enjoyed the time with her. When I asked what you like about her, you said, "she asks me lots of questions." It's fun to overhear bits and pieces of you talking enthusiastically about your life. :)
You are very social and make friends easily, with kids and adults. You were telling me the other day how much you love our church and love that everyone there knows you. The kids ministry leaders have commented on how you reach out and are kind when new kids visit as well.
You tell me you're doing 6th grade math on your math computer programs for school, and I believe it. Reading is increasingly less interesting to you and you've told me you like books with pictures, ie. graphic novels. I keep trying to get you hooked on the right genres at the library!
You love wearing athletic clothes, to the point that I buy very few polos or long sleeve button downs anymore. Only enough to require for very nice occasions. I try to find athletic polos or nice athletic clothes we can both agree are good options.
Your favorite activity is your Nintendo Switch. Although you did tell Daddy last weekend that you would rather have me not work and stay home with you than have lots of time on your Switch if we were both working and had less time to spend with you. So that melted my heart!
You love it when I substitute at school. I have hardly done it this semester because life has been so full with our preparations to move, but I have missed it and expect to do it again after you start school in South Carolina.
You are sad that we're moving. When Daddy and I told you last week, you immediately put your face in your hands and started to cry. You listed all the reasons you didn't want to move and asked lots of questions we couldn't necessarily answer. Later that night, you told me you were actually kind of excited to move to a new state. So, I know there are mixed feelings, but you seem to be processing it well. Even though removing you from your life here feels so very sad, I am so incredibly thankful that your 10 years have been so incredibly happy. You have thrived and felt so very secure in the life God has blessed us with here. I know His plans for you moving forward are good, and we are clinging to Him as we make this transition.
I love you, Luke!
Love,
Mommy
