Dear Dillon,
Seven years ago, you came kicking and screaming into our lives and forever changed my world.
I always knew I could handle raising girls...afterall, I AM a girl, and who better than someone with 27 years of experience in being a girl to RAISE girls.
But you...you rocked my world. You see, you aren't a girl. And I didn't know a thing about raising boys. Race cars, trains, sports, superheroes, and bugs...these were as foreign to me as quantum physics. I knew nothing about how boys play, how boys dress, and why boys grunt when they talk.
But now, seven years later, I can say with a fair amount of certainty, that I have learned the answers to two of those three questions.
I had no idea what I was headed for. As it turned out, by having a son, I got my "mommy pass" stamped for the fast track course in all things "boy".
It was YOU who taught me what "tender" is (it's a train's cargo, duh!)...
It was YOU who taught me that race cars don't have real headlights (they have stickers, mom!!)
It was YOU who taught me that Nerf darts don't (usually) hurt when shot directly at your mom's butt. However, when shot at her eye...well, that's a different story.
It was YOU who taught me that a swingset climbing fort can be a pirate ship OR an ice cream shop.
It was YOU who taught me that wearing a cape to bed is not unheard of (especially if you're a superhero).
It was YOU who taught me that even big boys get scared during swim lessons (wait...you weren't scared, you were just "not feeling well" for that 30 minutes!)
And it was YOU who taught me that long eyelashes and toothy grins will melt my heart any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
The past seven years have been anything but boring with you in our lives, Dillon. You make every day fun. Your cheerful laugh (that currently sounds like a dolphin's "chatter"), your playful enthusiasm, your willingness to help others...you are some of the best traits of me and your daddy combined into one perfect package.
This year, you are enjoying first grade at Lake Cable Elementary School. You love your teacher Miss Shively, and have many friends. As a matter of fact, you refer to kids you don't know as "friends you haven't met yet". You are outgoing and friendly, and seem to "fit in" in any situation. You're good in school- a smart kid who works hard and learns easily- just like Mommy!
You are very curious. You love to watch "How It's Made" on TV with Daddy and find out how our factories and manufacturers build things we use every day. I can almost see the gears turning in your head...an engineering brain at work. You do take after your Daddy in that regard!!
You played t-ball last spring and soccer in the fall. You have some natural athletic talents that show on the field. You are trying swimming this winter, but are working on getting a little more comfortable without your safety vest. This summer I was so proud of you when you jumped in off the edge of the pool and went underwater while we were on vacation!
This is your first year doing cub scouts. You proudly memorized the cub scout promise, and the oath, handshake, salute and everything else cub scouts need to know. Right now, you are building your Pinewood Derby car, fashioned after Lightning McQueen. Of course, I would expect nothing else from you...your passion for Cars (and Lightning McQueen in particular) crosses all bounds!
You have a good time doing just about anything. You really love playing with friends. You could spend every waking minute playing video games and watching movies...well, except those minutes when you're racing your Cars around, building with your legos, or trading Pokemon cards. You even have a good time going to the dentist! I wish I had your enthusiasm for the "everyday ordinary"!!
This year has been a lot of fun watching you grow and change. I'm sure there's so much to look forward to, but I really enjoy you just the way you are! So have FUN as we celebrate YOU!!!
Thank you so much for choosing us to be your parents, and thank you for blessing our lives with the wonderful gift that is YOU!! We love you, buddy! Happy 7th Birthday!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
January 25, 2012
