Doodlebug - Tally Mark 108

 Oh my RieRie!

Since about 5:00 last night, you were counting down the hours until your birthday.  For about a month, you asked me if I had everything ready to go.  You had your breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned, when you were going to open what present, and what you wanted to do that night.  The stars aligned and nobody has baseball tonight so we get to go roller skating.

Speaking of roller skating, it was the end of February or early March that your school had a skate night.  Since The Lime started school, I've wanted to go to one of those.  Finally, I convinced you to go to this most recent one.  It was your first time skating and you were nervous.  You fell, a lot.  But each time, you got up and tried again.  There were a lot of tears and you were frustrated with yourself, and I was expecting you to say you never wanted to go again.  To my surprise (and delight), you wanted to go back the next week.  And, so, we have (when we don't have baseball)!  Most of the time it's just me and you, and I love it.  We see how many times we can go around the rink, our highest amount being 104.  That's also 104 times you've gone around without falling.  One of these weeks we'll win Four Corners.  Not sure about Red Light/Green Light.  Some of those folks are FAST.  You want to hold my hand and get upset if I let go.  You asked for skates for your birthday and it's on the agenda to buy you a custom pair (the kind where you turn regular shoes into skates).  Can't wait to see what you pick!

Baseball keeps us busy.  You started catching this season, and you do an awesome job.  You are so laid back when you play, taking everything in stride.  When you strike out, no big deal.  Just like with skating, you get out there and try again.  When you don't catch a ball, you give it another shot during the next play.  Daddy heard a college baseball coach talk about how he wants "boring" players; people that go out there and get the job done without all the fanfare/bells/whistles/drama.  That's you, bud.  Last year, your coaches called you the Silent Assassin.  You don't talk much and can normally be found sitting on the bench while the other boys are climbing the fence or playing swords with their bats.  Some days you say you don't want to play while others, you anxiously ask me when your next game or practice is.  You played travel ball for the first time last fall and seemed to enjoy that a bit more than little league.  You don't think you're good but you are.  And you'll go far in this game if you keep trying.

Speaking of not talking, you have the same third grade teacher that The Lime had.  Part of me was excited because she's great but part of me was also nervous because she does lots of oral reports.  For someone who doesn't talk much, I wasn't sure how that would go over.  Sure enough, for your first one, you were adamant you were NOT going to do it.  But you did, and you did awesome.  Then it was time for the second one and, again, you were not going to do it.  But, again, you did and got a perfect score.  There was a little hesitation for the third one but I think you felt pretty confident by then.  And it showed, as you got another A+.  It's pretty cool to see what you're capable of when you put in an effort and tell yourself you can rather than can't.

You came home from school a few months ago and told me you had a hard time seeing the tv screen.  It was right around the time The Lime and I had our annual eye exams so we scheduled one for you too.  Sure enough, you needed glasses.  You were set on only wearing them for school until you put them on at The Lime's baseball game and stunned yourself.  You could read the scoreboard and all of the sponsor banners in the outfield.  The more you wore them, the more you realized how amazing it is to see clearly.  You didn't know that at night, there wasn't always a ring around lights.  You're pretty good at wearing them all the time, except for baseball.  I think you're a little embarrassed but you'll come around.

I recently asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up.  "You know..." you said.  I racked my brain trying to remember.  Then it hit me...an electrical lineman (as long as you're securely strapped into your harness).  I have no clue where you got the idea but it's ambitious, and I love it.  

Actually, now that I think of it, you probably saw something on YouTube about linemen.  You still love devices, especially if you can watch YouTube on it.  The things you've learned...your class grew butterflies last month and you named yours Michael Myers.  We've never talked about that character or the movie he's from.  Leave it to YouTube.  You do say some funny things after hearing them online.  I think you said someone was acting rigid the other day.  I'm not sure when I learned that word/meaning but it definitely wasn't third grade.

You and The Lime fight all.of.the.time.  But the second he goes to do something with his friends, you beg to join.  Most of the time he lets you and you two have fun.  You enjoy riding your bikes together, playing wiffle ball or basketball with the neighbors, and going to Raley's to buy treats.  You get very protective of your treats, mainly because you use your own money to buy them.  Sometimes you buy Prime, other times you buy Sour Patch Kids or chips.  

I think I've mentioned it before how I've always thought you'd be a great big brother.  You interact so well with younger kids, like your cousin.  I think that's why you love Aksel so much.  You play with him in the mornings before you leave for school.  And when it's time to leave, you say, "Bye Sweetie Pie!"  You love to cover him with your blankets and he patiently lets you.  You love snuggling with him and he hates when you get close to him when he's chewing on his toys.  During Christmas break, I watched our neighbor's dog.  She's older and much easier to take on walks.  A few days in, you started joining me on our walks and you were in heaven.  Just like with Aksel, you loved on Olive and have been asking me ever since when we can watch her again.

Just like you love Aksel and Olive, you love tacos and requested that to be dinner on Sunday.  You also love Panda Express and we're getting that tonight.  You still do not love broccoli but you'll eat it if you have to.  Same goes for mushrooms.  You love frozen tamales, just like The Lime.  You love cheddar sour cream Ruffles and Doritos.  You eat cereal or bagels for breakfast and get school lunch every day.  You've been breaking out on your chin and we think it's from toothpaste.  We're on our third brand, hoping it clears things up.  You have gotten better at washing your hair and it smells so much better.  You got a size 6 pair of shoes today and can't wait until you're a 7 because then you'll be wearing men's sizes.  But you still have size 8 clothes that you wear.  You got a special pair of church pants and a nice blazer from Daddy's aunt's store in Utah.  You like going to church only so you can wear them.  You wish you were in my primary class so you could play games.  You insist on wearing long socks even if they don't match your outfit.  You got a watch for Christmas and you love having it in military time.  You love playing catch with Daddy at The Lime's baseball games.  You absolutely love chicken wings and pride yourself on being able to eat a pound of them at Cattlemen's.  

I love watching you grow and I also love that your voice still sounds little.  I'm excited you're excited to be 9!  Remember: do well, be kind, you're amazing, and I love you.

-Mama

The Lime - Tally Mark 156

Dear Freddy,

We officially have a teenager in the house!  What the heck?!  The days leading up to your birthday, I always play back in my mind what took place __ years ago.  It really doesn't feel like you joined our family 13 years ago.  And I can't believe how quickly the last 5 years have gone by.  It means the next 5 will fly by even faster, and then you'll be an adult!  Until then, we'll enjoy the time we got kid Dieter and we'll learn how to parent teenage Dieter.

You're in 7th grade and don't enjoy it.  Every once in a while, you having something positive to say about school.  And if you do, it has to do with your friends, your math teacher, or Mr. Smith.  It's hard to tell if you don't like science because it's science or because of your teacher.  I think it's the later.  You're doing line dancing in PE right now and you're not thrilled about it.  Reading is not your strength and you fight us when we suggest you read in your downtime.  We tell you it's something you'll need/use the rest of your life but you think otherwise.  Social Studies is mediocre but I know you'll love it next year.

Last Fall, you moved up to Juniors in little league.  You now play on a full-size baseball field and that was a definite adjustment.  Gregg was your coach in the Spring and Fall, which you thoroughly enjoyed.  Ironically, we met with him a few years prior when you wanted to know why you didn't make the All-Star team.  We weren't too sure of him at that time but being on both his teams was a wonderful experience.  You thrive at first base and love trying your hand at pitching.  Many people comment how you fit the look of a baseball player and you'd be decked out in knee/foot/elbow guards all the time if Daddy would let you.

You've started going across the street to the open area to ride your bike.  Everest, Bryce, Jackson, and you have built some dirt jumps to ride on.  Unfortunately, you've created a gazillion holes in the ground while doing so.  You guys don't seem to mind, though.  We've received a lot of rain recently so that whole area is flooded/muddy.  You're anxious for the ground to dry out so you can get back out there.  You let Rie come with you sometimes and are always home before it gets dark.  Now that it's staying darker later, I imagine that's where you'll be spending a lot of your time (until baseball starts).

You're good at saving your money but always want more.  This year you'll be eligible to work in the snack bar at baseball.  You also went around the neighborhood this year to sell lemons and rake people's leaves.  Daddy keeps suggesting you mow people's lawns or clean out their garbage cans.  While you love money, you're not too keen on having to work extra hard to earn it.  I think that'll change once you start working at the snack bar.  

While doing your homework, you have to listen to music because you say it helps you focus.  As soon as we get in the car to go somewhere, you ask Daddy if he can turn on Amazon music.  We had a break in the rain today so you put the iPad in your backpack and you rode around on your bike listening to music.  You love music and enjoy a wide variety of genres.  Your favorite artist right now is Morgan Wallen, and you'd love to see him in concert.

Speaking of concerts, I took you to see Matisyahu with me last year since Daddy was out of town.  You thought everyone was weird and didn't enjoy yourself.  You asked if you could join me and Auntie Kari when we go see Vance Joy in a couple of months.  I'm working on it because I'd love to go with you!

You are officially taller than me which is really weird.  Trying to console or reprimand someone who is bigger than you doesn't feel right.  But you still love to snuggle and let me hug you as much as I want.  You don't always hug back but that's okay.  You also very rarely say you love me and Daddy back when we tell you we love you.  I attribute that to being a teenager.

Despite the big, bad teenager attitude, you came home from school the other day saying it was the worst day ever.  There was an unexpected intruder drill and you initially thought it was real.  It really scared you and you now get nervous every time someone talks over the PA system.  You like to appear tough and strong, which you are a lot of the time.  But I know there's still that tender boy deep down inside.

That's why you still have Lucifer and sleep with her every night.  You don't just sleep with her, she's with you on the couch every time you're watching tv.  You sniff the same spot on her back that you always have while you suck on your tongue.  We don't talk much about her because I don't want you to get embarrassed but I love that she's still such a large part of you.

You are very into your appearance and love to match.  You have a lot of shoes (you wear a size 9 in mens) and Dickies pants.  You could probably wear a new baseball hat every day for a month.  You eat smoothies for breakfast.  I still make your lunch for school and it's been peanut butter and crackers for months.  You can scarf down pizza or a hamburger in a flash.  We have to remind you to brush your hair often, and you just cut it for the first time in probably a year.  You still play with Nico on a daily basis, and you two come up with interesting things to do.  I described you two to a neighbor down the street and she said, "Oh, the boys that ride in a car seat on a skateboard?"  As long as you're wearing your bike helmet, I'm fine with that.  You ride your bike to school when it's not raining, and you wear shorts when it's not raining.  You love "Only the Brave" and want to be a hot shot.  You still love "Chasing Mavericks" and would probably surf if we lived closer to the ocean.  You love the water and thrive when we go to the lake or river.  It makes me nervous how comfortable you are but you assure me you're fine.

You are fine, and you'll do great things.  Remember to be kind, do well, you're amazing, and I love you!

Love,

Mama