Your birthdays always seem to be the most bittersweet, because they're a reminder of how quickly our kids just keep growing. Being the "baby" of the family, there are definitely a lot of phases that you have just skipped right over in an attempt to keep up with the pace of everyone else. And, even though you often wish you were older, your age is always a great reminder to the rest of us that you are still just a little boy! That number keeps creeping up higher and higher, though, and your days of being little are numbered.
This year, this number, this is the golden age! Eight is just so fun. You're still filled with wonder and innocence, but you are capable of so much. You have a great sense of independence, but still so much love for those who love you. You've been a favorite to our newest family member...Nyla. It gets the other two a bit jealous, but it's been just what you need to feel like you aren't just that annoying little brother that the other two can sometimes label you as. When you're down in the dumps or having a meltdown, Nyla is the best at cheering you up and making you snap out of it. She seems to just "get" you and we love that about your relationship!
You've also gained a new furry family member this year and he is definitely one of your favorite family members. You wake up every single morning and look for him first. You can't possibly go to bed at night without finding him and giving him a big hug. You definitely have a heart for animals and we love that this dog will be the buddy you have by your side for all the ups and downs of childhood, adolescence, and the dreaded teen years.
Indeed, our family has had some big changes this year, but like you've always done, you just roll with it. Not much changes you. You're still the goofball that wants to make everyone laugh. You're the sensitive one who feels things in big ways. When you're sad or frustrated or angry, the whole world is going to know about it. At the same time, when someone else is feeling down, you're the first to try to help ease their pain. You recognize when people need you and you step in to help however you can. You are the first one to offer a hug or a helping hand. And when you do offer to help, you won't give up. When our basement flooded this year, you were Dad's right-hand man with so many of the tasks. When there is work to be done in the yard, you'll be out there until the sun goes down trying to get the task done. You are the best little shadow and we love how you curiously follow us everywhere just to learn more about the world around you. You're always asking questions and thinking. You are a problem solver and have an amazingly creative mind. At the beginning of the year, when your teacher asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up, you said "an electrical engineer".....so that you could create a robot to pick up your toys!
When it comes to school, you have definitely found a way to make your teachers fall in love with you. You rounded out your year in first grade having a wonderful year and leaving behind a teacher that you adored. She couldn't say enough great things about you. You're doing the same in second grade. We were shocked to learn at conferences that your teacher thinks you're one of the nicest kids and she loves that you are liked by everyone...not because you're the "cool" kid or the one that gets attention for bad things...but because you're nice and friendly to everyone. You do have that in you, and we're glad you take that approach at school, but we sure wish you displayed that just a bit more with your siblings!
Your siblings are definitely your best friends and worst enemies. You are the best one about spending time equally with them all. You love to follow Caleb around wherever he goes. You try desperately to keep up with him, but that usually leads to tears and frustration. There are Pokemon battles that end in wrestling matches, football games outside that end in tears, and xbox playing that ends in yelling. However, you just adore him so much that you don't let the bad stuff keep you from trying to play again in the future. Leah is the one that you chase around and play with no matter what kinds of crazy things she wants you to do....gymnastics in the basement, school in her room, building forts, painting your nails pink....the list goes on and on. It usually lasts for quite awhile before you ditch her to play with Caleb and then everything ends in tears and yelling over who is responsible for cleaning up the massive messes that you make together. That's where Nyla often steps in as your mediator and reminds you all to stop fighting with one another. She has such a way of calming all three of you down and getting you to cooperate.
It's hard to not ramble on and on about all that makes you who you are. Perhaps it's the fact that you're the youngest, but it seems like you are the one who we spend more time slowing down and savoring the moments with. So much joy comes from soaking in the moments with you, because we know how quickly you will grow up. So, for now, we will take all those morning snuggles and all those goodnight kisses and all those tear filled moments of frustration that are cured with a big hug. We love that you're our baby and you let us embrace the magic of your wonder and innocence. Please hold onto that for as long as you possibly can. May this year be filled with all of the magic and wonder that makes you such an amazing boy. You make this world a better place and we pray that will always be true of who you are. We don't know what we'd do without our Joel and we are so thankful that God gave us the task of being your parents.
Love,
Daddy and Mommy
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