A letter to the birthday boy

Dear Will:

Today you are 11.  Eleven!  Officially tween-dom around here and I still can't wrap my mind around that.  You were bummed earlier in the year when you discovered that your birthday would land on a Monday but I hope we made the best of it for you.  Your party was yesterday and I'll post more picture of that later.  You invited a few friends, a sister and her friend and little cousins to play laser tag and have pizza.  Much fun ensued but let's get back to your official birthday.

You woke up this morning when it was still dark but you watched ESPN and waited patiently for us to get up and going.  Once everyone was in the kitchen, you opened presents including a Larry Nance Jr jersey (that you wore all day), headphones for the Xbox, a mini basketball hoop and basketball, a sweatshirt and  a "church" shirt (that your sister picked out and you actually liked it!) and some stuff that's arriving tomorrow in the mail (Legos).  From grandparents and aunts and uncles, you got a lot of giftcards, a jacket and cash that you already have big plans for.

Early morning big birthday smiles and new jerseys. 

Will, it's harder for me to write these letters when I know you can read what I'm writing in just a few clicks.  You don't like sappy, so I'll try to contain myself.  Kid, you have a delightful sense of humor.  As you get older, there are more things that I think are funny that you also think are funny but you are also still susceptible to potty humor every now and then.  Your sarcasm is coming along nicely as well, okay I really shouldn't type that but it's true.

You were bored while we were shopping and created your own entertainment.  

Sports are still a big part of your day.  Which one is your favorite?  Well, what season is it?  On these nice March days, we find you outside shooting baskets (sometimes with your sister) or throwing a baseball around.  The bad weather just moves the game inside and my rule of 'no bouncing the basketball in the house' was long ago forgotten, especially since we just installed your mini hoop in the hallway.  Football is still high on your list along with shooting sports and maybe even a little golf.  You watch highlights, re-runs of old games, draft analysts and whatever else happens to be on.

Yes, it's a sideways picture.  But it's also a picture of siblings shooting hoops.  

Will, your dad and I are so proud of who you are growing up to be.  We have our moments of course, but you are a good kid.  You were proud to start Communion at church, you are kind to your cousins.  Preschool cousin still wants to marry you, by the way.  You take good care of the pets.  I think Tootsie will want to go to college with you.  You and your sister can find amazing things to fight about, but when you need someone to play balloon volleyball with in the living room with all of the breakable knick-knacks, she's right there.  You are still a voracious reader and you work (somewhat) hard at school.  You have a big group of friends and I think that will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Happy birthday big kid.  I hope 11 is full of game-winning shots and lots of adventures. 

Taken at the doctor's office last week but still a sweet smile.