Tucker, this 8th year has been a banner year for you! So many exciting NEW things have happened! Since your last birthday we have been not on one, but TWO, fun family campouts!
You got to go to Disney and get "Jedi training" and fight Darth Vader and Kylo Ren!
Your dream came true and you and Daddy went to SPACE CAMP! You were made the COMMANDER of your entire team- and your team won the award for best group for the week! You got to go up by yourself and accept the certificate for the team!
In May you got to go to St. Augustine for the first time-
You got really great at using the boogie board at the beach this year! You stayed in the water riding waves all the time!
You had received two sacraments this year! Reconciliation (Confession)-
And you very reverently received your first Holy Communion-
You also broke your first bone this year with an awful incident involving a 45 lb. weight and your big toe-
You got to drive a duck-tour boat in Mobile!
You, my little astronomer, got to go to Tennessee and see the Great American Eclipse- a once in a lifetime opportunity!
And you saw Rock City-
You auditioned for and won a spot in the Birmingham Boys Choir!
And you were trained to be an altar server and are doing a wonderful job!!!
You had your first laser surgery for a tongue tie we didn't know you had!
And you played on a basketball team for the first time!
Such a wonderful year of "firsts" for my little boy!
We love you so much. You are just a delight in our home. You are full of wonder and awe at everything. The other day in the car you said, "Oh, Lord, thank you so much for such a beautiful day with a cloudless sky!" You always say little prayers like that. When I told you I was expecting, the first thing you said was, "Oh, Mommy, may I write a prayer for the baby?" And you did. You are such a sweet and spiritual boy with a deep faith.
I love your artistic side- you are ALWAYS working on an art project. You surprised us by turning our ping pong balls into planets-
And yes, your projects and lifestyle make big messes, but it's worth it to see the joy and wonder you bring! This picture is when you walked up and said, "don't worry- I'll dust these shoes off before I get in the car." :)
You are very bright and excel in your school subjects. You never meet a stranger and enjoy talking to everyone we encounter. You are just cute as a button with your curly hair and big dimple. You are very good at reading people's emotions and capitalize on that! :) You charm us all.
You still love planets and geography and have started liking the elements and chemistry things. You do have a little temper and can get your feelings hurt quickly, but you are able to turn it around just as quickly. You still use a large vocabulary and say things that shock us. Just yesterday you said out of nowhere in the car, "oh, why can't it just be the old school?" I said, "What are you talking about?" And you said, "this technology rat race. Phones, ipads- why can't we go back to the old school?" My little old man. I love you to pieces! You are best friends with Charlie, and Marc and Julia adore you.
You are so grateful for anything and everything and always overflow with joy. Riding in the car the other day you said, "my heart is about to explode with joy over this new baby!". And today I said, "hop in the car, we are going to go meet BB to celebrate your birthday lunch!" Your eyes got so big and you said, "Oh thank you Mommy!!!! How wonderful!" :) Who can resist that?
We met BB at a BBQ restaurant and had a nice lunch-
As we ate our cupcakes, and you hadn't opened even one present, you said, "oh- this is one of the best birthdays ever!" Such a thankful heart.
You read BB's birthday card aloud- every word of it.
Your wish came true! BB and Poppy got you a Fitbit!
We will celebrate with Daddy tonight and open your gifts from him and from Florida. Then we will have your party tomorrow! Happy Birthday sweet boy- you are OUR gift!
