Dear JP,
Happy 11th Birthday! I can't believe you're 11. For some reason this feels so much more grown up than when you hit double digits last year. I think maybe it's because not only are you 11 but you are in your last year of elementary school. It's hard to believe that the baby who was born when Emerson started kindergarten is now in 5th grade.
JP, I LOVE the kiddo you are. You are kind. You are absolutely hilarious. You are the king of sound effects and funny facial expressions. You are a good friend. You are easy going. You are polite. You can talk to adults as easily as you talk to other kids. You are friends with everyone, from kids that are much younger than you all the way to kids in high school and college. You have a wide variety of interests. You are rough and tumble but you also love a good hug. You love to help, especially if it's an outdoor job. You are a hard worker and always try your best in school. You are just all around fun to be around!
In the past year you have played soccer, flag football (rec league and school), basketball, and done summer swim. You love all sports and we love watching you play them! You always give 100% to whatever sport you're doing and I love seeing your improvement each season. This year we also went skiing, placed some top golf, and participated in your first youth triathlon.
This year you finished up 4th grade with one of your very favorite teachers. I don't know what she said to motivate you but you went from dragging your feet about school and plodding along to being really invested in your academics. You now always work really hard to get the best grade and you do your best on all your school assignments. Your favorite subjects by far are math and science. You have always had to work harder at reading but you made HUGE strides last year and you're always so proud when you do well on a reading test. It makes me so happy that you like school and that you are motivated to do your best! You have had some really great teachers throughout elementary school and I know you're going to have another great year this year with a fantastic teacher!
You have a great group of friends at school, in the neighborhood, and at church. You get along with everyone and for that I am so grateful. You are kind to others which is one of the best character traits to have! I am thankful that you have surrounded yourself with friends who lift you up and encourage you and that you are an encouraging friend. I pray you always keep these friends close. It's a beautiful gift to have friends who only want the best for you.
I love watching you with your friends but also with your sisters. You are so tolerant of them and I know its not always easy to be the youngest AND the only boy! Ellie and Emerson are the ones you go to with your problems, when you need some sympathy (Emerson), or when you need a laugh or someone to be silly with (Ellie). Ruthie is your buddy. Y'all are 2 peas in a pod and I can't imagine one of y'all without the other. I love the special relationship you have with each of them and you are most definitely the baby we didn't know we needed. You round out our family perfectly and I am thankful for you every single day (who else would teach us how to make a fart noise by sticking a straw in our armpit?).
This year we lost PaPa. Anytime we were in Summerville he was your buddy. You loved your time hanging out with him while the girls went and did other things, like shopping. It absolutely broke your heart to lose him but I'm so thankful for all the wonderful memories you have with PaPa. I know you will treasure the time you had with him always.
JP, this year had its highs and lows but through it all you kept your easy going, laid back personality. You "roll with the punches" and keep on going and I hope you always hang on to that. I am so thankful that I am your mom. I am thankful that I get to watch you as you grow and mature. I am thankful that you still like to hang out with me sometimes and you are always willing to jump in and help me with whatever needs doing. I pray your love for others and your servant's heart continue to grow. You are a joy and I'm so thankful that you're mine!
Here's to an amazing 11 year old year!
Love,
Mom
