Happy Birthday, Will! Amazingly, another three months have gone by since my last post. I need to seriously think about renaming this blog...
But, it has been a really special year to have you around. Despite the cancellation of many favorite activities, all of that free time meant we got to travel over several long weekends in the Fall.
Trips to Philadelphia, Montpelier (presidential home of James Madison), and Colonial Williamsburg were great (along with several Civil War Battlefields), but I'm going to go out on a ledge and say that our trip to Massanutten and the Shenandoah National Park was your favorite. You hiked as long as we would let you. The views were beautiful and made you want to get back to the Alps...One day!
But, perhaps the Appalachian Trail is in your nearer future for now!
Along with participating in a cousin performance of excerpts from Hamilton (He played Lafayette #NailedIt), you jump in with both feet during our Zoom Performance of Christmas Carol
The document you created when you were 4 showing whose turn is next to put Infant Jesus in the Manger is still my favorite Christmas decoration. Even if it makes others cry at the fairness. (Totally staged)(Mostly)
I love hearing everyone laugh, but your humor is so dry that it is rare to see you lose it. Which makes it all the more enjoyable. And it is generally at some antic of Dom's. In this case a Telestration drawing. Though it could also be John's...or mine <ahem>
You eagerly agreed to walk to church during the first major snow storm in over a year. First snow still gets you out of bed earlier than usual! Even if you can't trust the weathermen. Ever.
I can always find you playing with a sibling, generally when you are suppose to be doing schoolwork. But, I have a soft spot for your interactions with John especially. Not so much with Dom...as you are both avoiding schoolwork.
Pretty sure this is the last birthday I will be taller. And I am still taller. By a hair. Still counts.
I also have a soft spot for reading. And worse, you completely know I do.
And Ping Pong. Speaking of sports, I am very grateful for the times we have gone running together in the last few weeks. I enjoy the chance to catch up with what you are thinking about. Even if I don't understand the latest Dungeons and Dragons scenarios or Axis and Allies strategies. I like that you want to tell me about them. Plus, it keeps my mind off of thinking about not wanting to actually go running!
Add having leisure time in general to my soft spots...huh...maybe that is why our house is never clean and we are always catching up on school...
A boy scout event where we didn't place in the actual competition, but nailed wardrobe.
Still Taller
You always make time to read the paper, even if it is in the waiting room at the doctor's office.
And you love your family.
I love seeing the way you view the world. I love that you enjoy the simple things in life whether it is a good book, watching Marvel Movies with the family, playing a game with John, eating a bowl of spaghetti, or having a big bowl of ice cream. And so many more little things that are the secret to a happy life. How great you are already realizing all of this at such a young age. Hopefully it continues!
Happy Birthday, William Thomas! We are thankful every day that you are at our dinner table with quips that make us laugh, that you watch out for your siblings, especially John, and are ready to help when asked (as long as you can finish the chapter you are on first!). We can always count on you to remember lines exactly from movies or shows, and to have the most thoughtful prayer requests (even if it takes 5 minutes for you to answer...still working on that one...I mean, we do this most nights, don't you think you could just have a running list by now?).
We hope you have a wonderful birthday and year. I'm not concerned in the least that I will now have two teenage boys under my roof. I wouldn't trade either of you for anyone. Plus, no matter how tall you get...pretty sure I will always think of you as I see you in this picture. I mean, I'm kneeling and still taller than you! Those were the days :).
We love you, Will! Time to dominate the world!
