8

You see the 4x2...I did that for AJ.  He loves his math:)

This 8 year old.  When I looked through the photos I was instantly reminded about how handsome he is.  So serious.  Thoughtful.  In thought.  This year has been such a growing year (literally and figuratively) for him.  He has tried new things, tested out his limits by leaving the family nest, and persevered!  

Today AJ had a guy hangout with some fellow football players.  When I picked up the group of 3 guys they were all hollering about what they did for the past few hours.  "And then we played a game at Longmont High" "And we won" "And I scored every single touchdown for my team."  etc, etc.  When I heard that last line, I instantly knew which team AJ was on.  He was on that guy's team.  The guy who scored all the touchdowns and he scored none.  Not because he couldn't, but I think because he didn't have to.  It's funny because AJ reminds us (Russell and I) of us when we were younger.  I remember in my earlier years, and even on my more competitive teams I never felt compelled to score.  In fact, I actively resisted scoring.  I would hide behind a defender, go a bit slower around a pick.  I did not have that desire to score, ever really, it just wasn't necessary for me.  AJ does not have the umph to go after the ball, yet he shows up.  He works hard.  He loves to be a part of a team.  And when I sometimes wish he wanted to be a ball hog, I realize at the end of the day I love how AJ is.  He is conscientious, he is okay sitting back and analyzing how things are versus getting in there and demanding change happen.  The more I think about it, that is how I operated and although it took me out of the game in my early years it certainly helped me get in the game in my later years (the game of life!) 

 AJ will be our kid that we see ourselves in...and that will cause us to examine the things we loved about ourselves and the things that caused us to struggle.  It will challenge us to reflect on the way we parent, and examine before we respond to make sure we are responding as AJ's parents and not as our wishes for our former selves.  

This picture is AJ with his 1st and 2nd grade teacher.  This is who AJ is...a guy that connects with adults and also is the best guy to work with the younger kids.  He cares and loves and is too darn smart for his own good-often using that to drive his younger brother crazy ("what mom....I didn't do anything???"

This dude is an eating machine who spent one dinner last week asking all of us if we were done eating our own food because he needed more food.  I'm proud of his first concert when he conquered his fear of getting on stage, I'm proud that he played center all season in football and caught his first football touchdown, I'm proud that he loved his birthday party and had so many great buddies there, I'm proud that he loves the river just as much as me, I'm proud that he embraced cubscouts and even without winning any prizes enjoy himself at the pinewood derby, I'm proud that he got his first piece of artwork in the District Art Show, I'm proud that he tried a baseball camp and really found that he loved this sport, and I'm proud that he is my first born son and is really helping me out in this whole parenting thing.

Love you monkey dog,
Momma