Happy Birthday, William!

 Happy 11th Birthday, William!!  As I went through pictures from the last year, it didn't seem possible some of the events occurred 12 months ago.  They feel so recent.  It has been quite a year.  Just like usual. But, really not the usual at all.

Your year had a bit of everything that makes life great.  Times where you couldn't stop laughing...over something ridiculous.  I love to hear you laugh!

Coming face to face with your nemesis: Sauerkraut!!  For those not aware of his opinion on this: It is the WORST!!!  All smells and tastes are ranked on a scale from "That is GOOOOOOD!"  to SAUERKRAUT disgusting.  Poor fellow, I made it twice this year AND we traveled to Germany.  So, yeah, pretty rough year.

You had a fantastic year in scouting.  Crossing over from Webelos to Boy Scouts was nearly the least exciting.  Camped at Gettysburg!  You camped in a snowstorm and now get to tell future generations how you had to hike back 10 miles with your backpack through 3 feet of snow.  Uphill!  Most of that is true, I used rough estimates on the numbers.  And the thing is, you love it.  You love being outside and hiking and learning skills that will come in useful when the grid goes down.  And I am thrilled, because I will not make it without your help.

You can be pretty serious, but you have a fun streak in you that I love to see come out from time to time.  Reminds me of days long ago (though not that long ago...not, yet!) where you were always doing something mischievous.  You, Molly, and John have great times together.  I love seeing you all still disappear into a world of make believe.  This is added by your love of reading. You have read books faster than I can think of new ones to give you...but, then you just re-read your favorites.  "The Phantom Tollbooth" is a favorite.   We've also enjoyed books together that I have looked forward to reading with all of you including "Where the Red Fern Grows", "Anne of Green Gables", and "Cheaper by the Dozen". I love reading to you and hearing your insight into characters and situations. These don't have to be classics either.  I am grateful that as I pull out picture books to read to John, all of you come running to the couch.  Reading is my favorite activity to do with you.  I am compiling a list of books to read together in the next year and can't wait to get started.

You have become quite a master strategist at games of Risk and Axis and Allies.  Always looking for someone to compete against (Man, do I know that feeling!).  But, you enjoy many other games as well, which I appreciate.  Because I love other games more than Risk and Axis and Allies.  Plus, I'm better at the other games. 

You are currently playing video games as your birthday eve treat and will play them quite a bit on your birthday as well.  Zelda is a favorite.  Anyone surprised? But, I never see you as happy as when you are outside.  Maybe because you are imagining you are Zelda?  You are never the first one to come in on snowy days or the first to want to turn back on a trail.  As much as you love video games, I really do think you would prefer going camping for a weekend to a weekend of video games.  It might be close, but even that is pretty remarkable. And I'll tell you another thing, you are much happier after a weekend of camping than a weekend of video gaming.  Much happier.  And therefore I am also much happier....so you see why I make the rules I do.

This is your 11th birthday, which makes you 100 years younger than Bilbo was at the start of Fellowship of the Ring.  Or the age of Harry Potter in the Sorceror's Stone.  Something tells me this will be a magical year.  One way or another. Even if we don't get a letter in the mail.

I love catching your genuine smiles.  They are the best. You want to share what you are interested in with anyone who will listen.  You have a wonderfully caring heart for your family and friends, but you have learned better in the last year that maybe we don't want to hear a couple hour lecture on your game strategy or every little detail about your latest Zelda expedition.  These are solid life lessons, young man!  It is still a work in progress, but you are conscientious of it...which is saying quite a bit!

The glasses brigade of which you are the founding member.

 This year you learned a few new things.  One was taking programming which I'm eager to see you continue.  You also taught yourself how to solve a Rubiks cube...which makes me want to learn how to solve a Rubiks cube.  And I think you probably made the most progress in learning German in preparation for our trip abroad.  Yet, you can probably guess my favorite new thing: Pre-Algebra!!  I know I said reading was my favorite activity...but working with you and Dom on pre-algebra the last few weeks of our school year was a new highlight in our homeschooling journey.  Maybe it was because I got to write on the mirror with dry erase marker.  Or maybe it was because we would all take the same test and you would get more right than I would.  Or maybe it was just discussing problems that everyone missed and getting to that Aha! moment that every teacher thrills at.  Well, at least this teacher did.  I mean, Math is just the best! (Can I get an AMEN!)

While you don't share imaginary play with Dom (unless you include battles in the backyard), you share many other common interests including boy scouts, reading, soccer, history, ridiculous jokes, beating one another at games, and a disdain for doing chores...but, persevering under threat of severe punishment.  I really hope Molly and John get to the persevering part...

It was a big year for sightseeing, for sure.  We did a lot in our new home.  You and Dom share a love of battlefields (Manassas, Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg...probably forgetting some)....not so much Molly and John, but they dealt well with the situation.  We visited several museums where you tried to read everything...we need to go back.  To all of them.  And we went to GERMANY!!!  Where you and the rest of your siblings made us so proud of how well you handled  all of the stress of traveling.

There was never a time that any of you kids acted like you were anything less than thrilled to be wherever we were.  And you mentioned in the Alps you would like to come back to Bavaria to live for a while. (See earlier paragraph about how much you love the outdoors)

And the Germans have things like Cheese Plate as a dinner option.  That country is AMAZING!!

Plus your name was everywhere!

I saw many genuine William smiles which were aided by the fact you were there with family.  Both immediate and extended. Which I happen to know are your favorite people.  It was a wonderful trip and Dad and I were so thrilled to share it with you.  Everyone enjoyed it, but you in particular enjoyed ALL OF IT!! (ok, not any encounters with sauerkraut...but, those were extremely rare as it turned out)

And finally, you recently headed to Scout Camp for a week and came back smiling and full of stories.  Which is an excellent indication you had a wonderful time (see earlier paragraph of being outside. Use that also as a comparison for how you will feel tomorrow after I let you play video games to your heart's content today..or 9 pm, whichever comes first).

Dear Will,
  We are so incredibly proud of the kid you are and the young man you are becoming.  The next year will be filled with new discoveries and adventures, and not just on the Nintendo Switch.  I know you hate to write, but you write so well.   You have a talent of putting exactly what you mean on paper.  It is unfortunate that so few people can actually read it (note to self...we really need to work on penmanship).

I see you trying to always choose the right thing, even when it goes against what you really want to do.  Of course you fail (like choosing to read a book over cleaning up the kitchen...which you sort of come by naturally, sorry), but you rarely make the same bad choice twice.  Which is impressive.  Granted you may tweak it a bit, but you rarely make the exact same bad choice twice!

There are many things that come easily to you.  But there are many that do not and we will all support you as you work and practice to do them.  You make it easy to help you because you are so willing to work hard.  And you don't give up!  Watching you figure out the Rubiks cube was pretty inspiring (note to self: Make Will clean up kitchen while I practice the Rubiks cube)

We love you so much!  It is hard to believe it has been 11 years since you came into our lives, but it is harder to imagine a world where you didn't exist.  You have made our lives so much better!  And we thank God today (just like every day) that he gave us you.  We hope you have a wonderful morning, day, week, month, and year surrounded by people who love you and will give you at least 5 minutes (don't push that time limit, buddy...we love you, but most things should be told in 5 minutes or less) to listen to your thoughts on whatever happens to be your current pet project.  You are so special to all of us.  Now go beat whatever it is that you have to beat at Zelda, because today is the day!!

Love,
Mom