Nine is no joke!

Nine already??!! What a fast, exciting year this was. You broke 52 inches in height and 50 pounds in weight, can run for nearly three miles, and bike for six. You excel at playing video games, building Legos, performing magic tricks, and telling jokes.  You show a lot of true independence (playing outside by yourself, strutting to the men’s room at a restaurant without looking back, getting ready for bed, and picking up your room), but still need daddy or me to practically drag you out of bed in the morning, and you also still cuddle up close and ask for a story most nights. Overall, it is a great age and you are one terrific kid, and I love watching you grow up.

You accepted the challenges that our move to Niskayuna presented with a good attitude, and daddy and I are so proud of how hard you've worked to make this your new home.  You love the new yard and Pocket Park, and create fun adventure games with your sister. Yes, you and Greta are good friends and play and laugh for hours, although there are times when you simply cannot stand each other. You gave each other the support needed for this move to work, and I am so glad you could help one another over the last year. (Of course, it is also amazing how you two can be thick as thieves and then want absolutely nothing to do with each other, but that is just the way siblings work!)

You also overcame obstacles in making friends at your new school, and Mrs. Colby was so happy to have you in her third grade class. She said she "saw you bring out the good in others around you," and that she was so glad we moved to Craig School.

While we never want you to have a bad day at school, we know that the few rough patches you hit were helpful in teaching valuable life lessons to you and your classmates about peer pressure, the difference between reporting and tattling, and how important it is to respect others. Please know that daddy and I are always here to support you and help you navigate the challenging course of elementary school. Keep listening to that voice that helps you know right from wrong, and you will continue to excel.

You had a great year in sports, playing tennis, ice skating, learning to ski, and enjoying a wonderful season in the Niskayuna Babe Ruth Baseball League, where your dad was honored to be an assistant coach on the Balltown Medical Imaging team. You were great behind the plate, at the plate, and on second base. We loved watching you play. You cheered on your teammates, behaved in the dugout, and showed great sportsmanship, win or lose.

You are almost always on the move--running, biking, wrestling, bouncing... even if we are in the middle of a meal, you spring out of your seat to share an exciting story from your day or retell an exciting part from something you've read. Such enthusiastic, animated antics draw us in and we love those “aha! I have to share!” moments.

And what a reader you've become! Graphic novels are still your favorite, but you also enjoy adventure books, stories of bizarre animals or monsters, and books of jokes. Yes--you are a wonderful comedian. One of my favorite things about you is that you make me laugh. Every. Single. Day.  You find humor in everything, and constantly help me take myself a little less seriously.  Of course, I could do without the bathroom humor, but that seems to be a boy thing, so I put up with it!

As you enter this last single-digit year, know that Daddy, Greta, and I love you so very much. You light up our world every day. We are excited for all that this year will bring to you, and hope your birthday wish comes true! -- Written by Mommy