double digits

Little (Bigger) Brown Mouse,

That's it. Double digits! You are my kiddo who has never seemed phased by each birthday or age (while your sentimental mama sits here and sniffles and wipes tears away), but you are a little phased by 10. Maybe you have overheard too much chatter about 'getting big,' maybe you are feeling it yourself, but this past year has been one of lots of change for you. You have grown so much, in every way!

So much I wrote last year still describes you well. You are still snuggly, still love soccer, biking, building, Tigger, and Teddy. You love your new friend, Molly, and you are definitely exerting your independence! In the past year, you have somehow (I am still not quite sure the origin), developed an intense and informed interest in (quality) remote control vehicles. You can tell me all about different types, batteries, body styles, wheels, and more, and you are working hard to earn money toward buying or building one of your own.

You are still a sensitive and caring kiddo, but a little less patient and easily forgiving than you were, which seems just about right as you work hard to find your own footing and self in the world. You are testing language and attitude, which is also to be expected, and I suspect the shift you made in the library may be partly accountable. This past year, you really settled into reading. It went from being hard to a welcome and pleasurable hobby and you read all sorts of things the jury is still out on, like Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Asterix, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. (Notice a comics theme here, where the content/concepts might not be age appropriate?) You taught me that comics, while obnoxious, are a really powerful way to transition into reading with the help of lots of pictures.

What comes to mind with you, little monkey, is the line from a parenting-boys book I started to read (and set aside for "later") when you were really little. It said that boys think three things; who's the boss, what are the rules, and are you going to enforce them? That has me laughing with exhaustion and pleasurable relief at the same time!

Brown Mouse, you are a smart, loving joy, and I am infinitely grateful that you blessed my life a decade ago. Happy double digits, Boo.

I love you,
Mamma