Eli

Dear Eli,

I can't believe that my baby boy just turned 7! This has been a big year for you and I have loved every minute of watching you try and learn new things. You loved going to Kindergarten. It was amazing to listen to you read at full speed by the end of the year. It made me laugh when I would be in your classroom volunteering and Mrs. Moon would start the music at the end of the day and make your class do silly dances to silly songs. I could see that you were mortified and not impressed, but you would do the smallest moves possible so Mrs. Moon couldn't accuse you of not participating. I also loved to help with Art Lit in your class. It was so fun to see your artistic side. You would often be one of the last to finish your projects and you took great care to make sure it was perfect. You got that talent from your Daddy. This year you also lost your first two teeth. I know your excited to lose more because you tell me often that you have three more teeth that are loose. You are working hard everyday to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle them even looser so the tooth fairy can come for another visit soon. Another joy for you this year was getting to play "real soccer" on a "real team". You played both Spring and Fall and by the end of that second season you were definitely getting more aggressive and making some goals. It was exciting to watch you interact with your teammates and to see you having so much fun. You LOVE animals and cannot get enough of them. For the past two years your Christmas List has consisted of a bird, a dog, a horse, a lizard, a hamster, a parrot and so on. For your birthday this year you asked for exactly the same things. I'm sorry that we are not animal people. I know it's hard for you to understand that your Dad and I just don't share your excitement of animals. I'm just happy that your such a good sport and are truly excited when we give you the animals we do like...stuffed ones. You have a fascination with Webkins. You LOVE those things and you love having a virtual pet you can take care of anytime. It really irritates you when I remind you that you have to get your jobs, reading and active time done first, before you can be on the computer. But you always come around and do the right thing. Grampa Gold even told me that you can sweep a floor better than some adults he knows. That's quite the compliment from a Grampa to a 7 year old boy! I want you to know how much I love you, buddy. I love your sweet hugs and kisses that you ask for and give everyday. I love that you still ask me to lay with you at night when you go to bed.I love that you ask if you can read me a bed time story. I love that you can be so quiet and observant and the next minute be doing a silly dance or singing a silly song.....you remind me of your Dad! I think you two share the same personality, and Grammy Gold assures me that you look just like Daddy did at your age. I'm so lucky to have two such good lookin' guys by my side. No matter what Eli, you'll always be my little man.

Love,
Mom