You are now two whole hands AND a toe--you're 11 years old! You were this doll-sized thing when you came into this world more than a decade ago and now I no longer have to look down to talk to you because you are exactly at my eye level! I measured your height, as I do on all my kids' birthdays, and you are only two inches shorter than me! Wha?!?
I still have your newborn clothes packed away in a box (I never get over how small they are whenever I look at them) and tomorrow, you will be putting on your sized-14 private-school uniform and starting middle school. Middle school! I have a middle schooler! It was bittersweet when you graduated from your elementary school but I am excited for this next chapter in your life. You are still so curious about everything and ask a million questions a minute and now you will be learning about so much more. You are really outgoing and social and will be meeting lots of new friends. You are incredibly artistic and creative and will have many opportunities to improve your skills. You are a voracious reader and will be introduced to a library of new titles and authors to explore.
You have always been so impulsive--sometimes to the point of recklessness--but I see how you are working on being more patient and thoughtful of others' feelings. I know that you are also trying to be more responsible and I am proud of you for that.
Happy birthday to the boy who made me a mom. I love you and hope fantastic things are in your future.
Love,
Mom
