You are growing in leaps and bounds. You just seem so tall. And more mature. Every day. You are a monster on the baseball field. I love to watch you play. And so does Daddy. And Pop Pop, and Honey, and Granddaddy (he doesn't miss a game). Second grade is about to be over. You've had a great year. Made a lot of progress. And I can't believe you will soon be a third grader. You had been asking me to go on a field trip with you. I had gone on a few with Jackson but just hadn't been able to go on one with you yet. I really didn't have the time to take off. But it was the last field trip of the year. I found out we would be going to Build-A-Bear. I wasn't going to tell you, was going to surprise you and show up. But your teacher let the cat out of the bag. The night before the field trip, you asked if I was going to be "a chap...erone or whatever they're called". When I said yes, you looked so happy and just said simply and sweetly, "thanks". You were so proud to have me along, and insisted I sit with you and your friend on the bus. Regardless of where we went, what we did, it was a very special day for both of us. You aren't going to be 8 forever, and I don't even know how much of this age you will be able to remember. But I will always remember.
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Jackson, This letter is way overdue. But man, have we been busy. Basketball season just wrapped up. And you could not be more disappointed. It ended sooner than planned. Because of the snow, we had a few cancellations and ended up one game short. It didn't help that there were no playoffs. The last game, you were so excited. You had spent the 2 weeks prior practicing on your own and were really proud of yourself. The night before, you told Josh and I that you knew you were going to have your best game and your goal was to score 20 points. Unfortunately, you scored not one point in that final game. As the clock ran out, my heart was breaking for you. You had a lot of great shots that almost went in. You had a ton of assists and played great defense. But none of this mattered to you. You walked off the court totally defeated and cried when we got in the car. It broke my heart because I knew how upset you were each time you missed your shot. Even though we won that last game, I felt like you did. It made it worse that it was your last game, your last chance. You still love basketball. That consumes most of your life these days. Even though the season is over, you have spent the rest of the daylight in the driveway the past few nights practicing drills you made up yourself. I'm so proud of yu. And I know Daddy absolutely loves that you are so passionate about this sport. Since you aren't quite ready to put away the basketball, we decided to sign you for individual lessons. You are really looking forward to this. It's hard to get pictures of you when you're not playing basketball. But, unlike your little brother, you still oblige me when I ask to take your picture. Last night at the park (while you were practicing baseball with Daddy), Bella broke her arm. You spent the night with us at urgent care. Today, I brought her up to your school to get you and Cameron since I was off work. You were both so proud to show her off, your little sister with the broken arm. You both have been very good to her. Cameron is the one she likes to play and rough house with. But you're the one she goes to for reassurance and comfort. It's true, she has protectors for life. I should also mention that you have gotten Principal's List the first two grading periods. You are on the Safety Patrol this year (which your Momma used to be when she was in 6th grade). And this is your last year of elementary school.
You came home a few weeks ago with your middle school registration. Your teacher suggested Advanced English and Advanced Social Studies, as well as Pre-Algebra. And you chose French as your language (which is also what your Momma took for 5 years, so I can't wait to start helping you with that). I am proud of your academic accomplishments as well as your athleticism. You are the total package, I must say. I could also talk about your manners. Your giant compassionate heart. And your kindness. But this would go on forever, and there is a lot more time and more letters to come. Just know that your Dad & I love you and could not be more proud of the kid you are. Dear Cameron, Lately, you get yelled at. A lot. It must be tough, being a middle child. You go through phases (or stages) where you are just....difficult. We are in that stage. I can't describe how painful it can be sometimes. Every night is a challenge. And our nights revolve around your behavior. You and Jackson have been fighting a lot. Even you and Bella. You get your feelings hurt very easily. You crave attention. And you exhaust me. "Mommy, watch" comes out of your mouth about 50 times a night. You require more attention than your 3-year old sister. It's just your personality, and I'm trying. But if you don't get it (attention), you (unintentionally) drive everyone crazy around you. You become loud and whiny and sometimes just plain annoying. You can't keep your hands to yourself. You can't stand if Jackson doesn't want to play with you. You can't understand why it's not appropriate to throw a football in the den or play "tackle football" with your 3-year old sister. You whine and complain about "why can't so-and-so spend the night??" You think we are out to get you and that nobody in this family likes you. For Christmas this year, you even asked for a "family that listens to me!!" because I won't ever let you defend yourself. Today was a good day. You had a great Christmas. Honey & Pop Pop got you and your siblings a trampoline. You spent an hour playing on it today with first your sister and then Daddy. You never stopped smiling (that is until you bit your tongue). But you were so happy and I enjoyed seeing that. You are spending the night with your cousin, Kaleb. You and him have a lot in common. You had been asking for him to spend the night for a few weeks now but there just hasn't been time. We knew you were due for a night out with your cousin, no big brother to get in the way. You are definitely an extrovert and need other kids to play with. You have tons of energy to burn and are always going outside and dragging out the neighborhood kids. You are always asking for someone to come over or spend the night, especially when Jackson gets stuck on his playstation and you have nothing to do (and no one to entertain you). I like that about you, though. Your energy. Even though sometimes (ok most times) it wears me out. You go so hard until you drop (literally). And you wake up raring to go. You hate to lose. You compete with your brother at every level. I guess that is just part of being a boy. I wouldn't understand. The other night, we attempted to play a game of Risk with Pop Pop, Daddy, and Jackson. We finished the game. But not without tears from you, and lots of yelling by me and Josh. And there was, of course, some fighting between you and your brother. Cameron, all of this is a part of who you are. I love you no matter what. I tell you often, "I may be mad at you, but I will never stop loving you. No matter what". I know you have the biggest heart; you just require a little extra work. We're all just trying to survive sometimes and get through these rough spots. You are way older than your years and it is hard to remember you are only 7.
I love your smile (you finally lost the other front tooth) and your laugh (when you're not laughing to be annoying). I love when you are happy (you can be hard to please). But, I love you for who you are. I love you more. I love you the most. Mom. Dear Jackson:
Something seems different about you these days. I can't quite put my finger on it. You seem older, wiser, more mature, even more responsible. When did this happen? And how? You come home from school and do your chores and start your homework, without me having to stay on top of you. You seem more relaxed in your skin. Self-confident. Maybe football has helped with that. Although you sure do beat yourself up sometimes after practice worrying about that tackle you missed. Breaks my heart. Your goofiness is starting to come out. You know you got that from me? I can't help but love that. And your laugh. I love your laugh. I love when you & I share a smile or eye roll over Cam or Bella's heads because they're getting on our nerves or said something funny. I love when it's just you and me in the car (because Cameron and Bella fight in the backseat) and we get the chance to just talk. Like last night after practice. You cried to me about how you did "terrible at practice". You were frustrated, and I could understand. But dammit, I couldn't really do anything to make you feel better. Until you said, "Can we do that thing?" That thing where I let you sit on your knees in the seat and stick your head out through the moon roof. But only when it's dark (cause I don't want to the neighbors to see and call the cops on me). And only once we turn onto our street (because I'm only going 25 but you feel like we're flying). The wind is rushing in your face, and you look down at me with this big grin on your face. And I did it, I made you feel better. And then I know that I'm doing everything right. I just hope you remember times like this. I know I said I would always be your mother and not your friend. But I kinda like being your friend, too. You're a pretty cool kid. |
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November 2018
AuthorMy name is Kaci. I am a working mom of 3. Wife to Josh. Mom to Jackson, Cameron & Isabella. My life is dinner, homework, baseball, basketball, grocery lists, laundry, middle school, wine, video games, and schedules. I started this blog because I love taking pictures, and I needed a place to document our life. I wanted a place to write it all down, to remember little details so easily forgotten in the mad rush that is the life of a family of 5. Through my photos and words, I endeavor to capture our story. Categories
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