Aspen Michael: 12 Years Old

 Dearest Aspen Michael,

My oh my how is my sweet boy 12 years old! Your last year as a tween; not quite a teenager and not quite a little boy anymore. 

One of my favorite things about you is the pure joy you wake up with each day. A smile. A hug. A joke or a silly question. I hope this is always how you live your life. 

                  

You have enjoyed 5th grade at SHMS. Making sweet friends with Beau, Clayton, Grayson & Shintaro. You had your first real girlfriend and to watch you be giddy on the phone while listening to her {Allie} talk your head off was precious to see. 

You completed your PYP project with your group. An exciting global topic of the underwater world and how the effects of overfishing can alter many aspects of our world. I am so proud of your hard work and outside the box ideas. Mostly I am proud of your memories speech & presentation to the community.

                                             

You continue to find joy in sports~ tennis, basketball, football and more. You are top 50 in the country in doubles right now. You are close to 125 in singles. You have worked so hard to get here. And it has not gone unnoticed~ being invited to 2 USTA Player Development Camps in the South. What an honor to get to experience great coaching from across the country!

You enjoy random facts about athletes, statistics of sports, and endless trivia. It turns out that you are paying attention even when we think you’re not!

There is so much maturity and growth that you’ve made from 11 to 12. I am so proud of you for never giving up on yourself and for continuing to find the joy in life. Just a few weeks ago, one of my Sacred Heart girls had a rough match. On the walk out, you were sharing words of wisdom with her… even though she is five years older than you. Sometimes you can be a little kid at heart, but you have so much wisdom to share!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Salem Lucille: 8 1/2 Years Old

 Dearest Salem Lucille,

My sweet baby girl you just continue growing and growing and growing. You are such a sweet soul. Always enjoying doing for and giving to others. 

You are preparing for your first communion. It has been a joy to watch you walk through this journey. You have deepened your faith and learned so much about the Eucharist. This Lent was special, watching you truly begin to understand the meaning of the season. 

You have entered your fourth competitive dance season… Competing in a solo, a trio, and four group dances. It is always such a joy to see you shine on stage. 

You continue to be an amazing little sister. Always lifting your siblings up and cheering them on. You truly beam with pride being around them and spending time with them. You are always ready for a hug and an adventure with them!

There is so much joy in being your mom~ your smile is contagious and your sass is giggle worthy. I hope always see the good in the world and continue to smile!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Aspen Michael: 11 Years Old

 Dearest Aspen Michael,

My sweet boy, you are 11 years old. Officially a tween, No longer a little boy! You have grown taller, wiser, and funnier. Maybe even a little more handsome too!

In the classroom, you thoroughly enjoyed fourth grade. You emerged in many areas academically… Continuing to enjoy math, reading more difficult novels, and taking an interest in social studies and science.

On the tennis court, you are finally technically in the 12 & unders. You have worked diligently on your mental game, in sports psychology as well as somatic healing. You have grown physically stronger and put in work daily to be a better tennis player. You are also working to be the best version of yourself that you can be!

The most important work you’re doing, however, is on being a kind, supportive, prayerful human. You are a wonderful little brother to Adelaide; You are an even better big brother to Brighton & Salem. Always helping to pump them up and give them advice. Also, lending a helping hand when they are in need.

You are a true dog whisperer. You love on Blue & Bear daily. You love to take them for walks, cuddle them, and sometimes read to them. And boy to their tails wag when they see you in the morning!

 

Aspen, I love how you still greet me with a hug and a “hi mommy” every morning. Your smile so sweet, so innocent, and so full of love. I hope that never changes, my son!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Salem Lucille: 7 1/2 Years Old

 Dearest Salem Lucille,

My sweet girl, how are you rapidly approaching eight years old?! Your little personality is blooming and beaming with pride. You’ve caught a little bit of the first grade sass, but our mostly sweet!

You have excelled tremendously in your first season of competitive gymnastics. You were a Beam Queen all season long posting a score of nine or higher and never faltering. At state you were second on beam, tied for second on bars, fourth floor, and fourth all around! 

You continue to be an absolute diva on the dance stage! You, Vivian, and JoJo are crushing it in your trio titled “Sleepover.” Miss Christy Is your dance teacher and she has put together the cutest dance for you all!

You are thriving in your group and Miss Skyler could have made a better dance to “Material Girl.” You are also rocking your jazz to “Walking on Sunshine” As well as your hip-hop to “Ice Cream Shop.” You have main parts in all of your dance, and you truly shine on stage!

You have loved first grade so much and you make special pictures for Miss Chaput every week. You are later in the classroom and a sweet friend to all.

My favorite part of the day is when I took you in bed and you do your nighttime kissing routine~ My right cheek, my left cheek, my forehead, my nose, and then a big kiss on the lips. Followed by a big bear hug. I hope you will always remember this bedtime tradition, and that it will mean as much to you as it means to me!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy