Happy Birthday, Ethan!

Dear Ethan,

Today you turn seven. I know I say this as each year goes by, but that number seems so old! You've gotten much, much taller and I no longer attempt to pick you up. You've gotten too heavy! You still fit on my lap, but generally are more content to tuck yourself next to me.

This fall you entered first grade, your first time being in school all day. Your brother and I miss you during the day; it's very quiet without you! It took us a little while to get used to you being gone all day, so we enjoy having you home on your days off. Oh, and days off from school? You despise them! You had to stay home sick two days in a row, and you made sure your dad and I knew you were not happy about it. You are one of the few kids I know that never hopes for a snow day. Not even the idea of a day spent playing in the snow is enticing enough for you to want to miss school. You informed us that you thought school should go all year round. Even Christmas! We are so thankful that you love school so much, but teachers need a break!


We are amazed at all that you have learned this school year. You have become adept at reading, math, telling time, and spelling. You have reached the point where you can read a book to yourself instead of having someone read it to you. Your favorites right now are Cam Jansen books. You love the mystery of them! Dad and I have to remember how well you can read or spell--one day you started reading an email over my shoulder (I remember it was about the new baby...and you didn't know about the new baby yet!). You love a challenge as you learn. You'd rather add with high numbers than low and even try to add and subtract negative numbers. We finally convinced you to wait until your teacher gave you those kinds of problems to solve. All that you've learned has carried over into the games you like to play. One of your favorites is Triominoes. You regularly beat your grandma and I soundly in that game!


You have been asking your dad and I for years when you would have another sibling, and this year it was fun to tell you that you would. From the minute you found out about the baby, you have declared that you want another brother. For some reason, you don't think a sister would be a great idea--something about how girls are around simply so you can chase them. We don't know whether the new baby will be a boy or a girl, but I know you will love and treasure either (and I think you would be first in line to protect a sister!). You pay attention to this pregnancy and ask if my belly will go all the way to the wall (I hope not!). The other day you watched my stomach move as the baby moved and you declared "Oh, that's so unusual!".


This year you found that Micah is a pretty cool playmate. He can keep up with you better this year, so you don't mind him tagging along as you play. You both have spent countless hours in the backyard--in the sandbox and playing every kind of ball. This winter you built a snow fort and played many hours in it together. When you're playing inside, you spend time with Lego's, Playmobil, trains, and chasing each other around until your dad or I tell you to stop running. We are so thankful that your brother has turned into your friend!


This past summer our family went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. You soaked up so many details there, it was amazing to see you observe everything and ask all of your questions. You and I wandered around the U-Boat display for a long time--I spent a lot of time explaining war and how there are people in the world that hate each other. Even with all of your questions, you didn't quite catch that WWII went on for longer than a day. You thought it was one day of fighting, during which the US captured the German U-Boat. I didn't have the heart to tell you that it went on for years. It was hard enough to describe war to you. What did amaze me was that as we walked and talked, you were incredibly conscious of of the people that were involved and how they were affected. That's you--conscious of people.


You've become an avid sports fan--you still like to watch NASCAR, but you also love to watch football and baseball with your dad. I love to listen to you when you watch a game--you have teams that you like and you cheer wholeheartedly for them. This year you chose to root for the Minnesota Vikings. We don't know why you chose this team, but you keep trying to convince us to go to Minnesota so you can go to a football game. I think what I find to be the most fun in all of your sport team loyalties is that you tend to choose teams that oppose your dad's favorites. It makes game day entertaining!


My little man, you have grown so many ways over the past year. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You regularly pray for all the prayer requests from your class. You love to listen to Bible stories and can remember all kinds of little details from them. You love your classes at church and are upset if we have to miss them for any reason. Your dad and I are so thankful for your willingness to learn and the open and questioning heart you have about Jesus. You are such a blessing.

Happy Birthday, Ethan Zachary. I love you tons and tons.

Love,

Mom