Happy Birthday Zachy
written July 8, 2018
Dear Zachy,
This letter is late, just like most things in our life at this point. I am tired, frustrated, and behind on most things at this point during your childhood. I keep reminding myself that it's better late than never.
So you this last year... My dear child, your 4th year of life was an extremely difficult one. You are so strong willed. You will not do anything that you do not want to do. You cannot be coaxed, convinced, or bribed to do anything you don't want to do. This is challenging and exhuasting to put it mildly. I'm hoping the same stubbornness that makes you refuse to listen to me, hold my hand when we cross the street, or stop talking, will also be the stubbornness that pushes you to resist peer pressure, and fight for what you believe in.
This year you went from my tough Zachy, to my sensitive Zachy. You're always willing to fight, and stand up for yourself, but now this was the year that you discovered your own emotions. Watching you navigate these two seemingly contradictory worlds has been interesting. We've had some issues with punching friends, and yelling at other adults, but you're learning.
You loved school this last year. You loved the 2 year old class, and excelled in the 3 year old class. Your ability to absorb and understand information is amazing. The other day you came up to me and told me that when you grow up you're going to be an "asthma doctor for kids", I don't doubt it- you will be a fabulous pediatric pulmonologist some day.
You tried t-ball this year and discovered that it wasn't your favorite sport. Let's be honest, you were there for cool uniforms and the snacks. You were a great batter, but not the best fielder. There was a day when you sat down facing AWAY from home plate when you were "playing" first. You told the coach it was boring, put your glove on your head, and refused to turn around. It was a great moment.
You love to fight with Michael. I know that you love him fiercely, but neither of you are able to express that in a constructive way, so at the moment we have a lot of fighting and yelling at our house. You and Michael may fight constantly, but you adore Grace. You want to be with her all the time, you watch out for her, and you show a gentle side with her, that is rarely shown with anyone else.
You talk CONSTANTLY. No really, from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep, you are talking. You talk fast and loud, all the time! When we ask (or sometimes yell) you to be quiet you respond with "but MOM, I LOVE talking!" You always have something to say. The comments both your school and church teachers always give are that you are so bright and chatty. You my friend, are both bright and chatty.
You're still great at playing alone sometimes. This was the year you really fell in love with Legos. You particularly like the "guys". You build Lego mini figures, dismantle them, mix and match, and then build them bases over and over. You can sit and do this for hours on end. You still love to play with your superheroes, particularly when you play "guys and their pets". This involves superheroes and dinosaurs. I still haven't figured out why the superheroes need pets, or how to pets are selected, but you love that game.
You continued with gymnastics this year, and while I'm not sure you actually have learned gymnastics, you have had such a great time. You've been with the same class for a few years and it is so fun to see you interact with your classmates.
You learned to swim! You don't think you need a floatie anymore, but that's not currently and option.
You make church a nightmare. I wish there was a nicer way to say that, but there's not. You are unwilling to control your voice, play quietly, or leave your siblings alone during Sacrament Meeting. You love love love your church teachers and they love you too! You have learned so much from there. When I think that you aren't listening, you are able to share lots of information with me about what you learned at church and what it means. You're prayers have become so earnest, and I love that.
We've had a long year, but I am excited to see what the next one (or the next 6 months) brings for our family. You are the clown that keeps us laughing, the kid with the huge personality, and enough energy to fuel even the most exhausted parents.
We love you Zach!!
Dear Zachy,
This letter is late, just like most things in our life at this point. I am tired, frustrated, and behind on most things at this point during your childhood. I keep reminding myself that it's better late than never.
So you this last year... My dear child, your 4th year of life was an extremely difficult one. You are so strong willed. You will not do anything that you do not want to do. You cannot be coaxed, convinced, or bribed to do anything you don't want to do. This is challenging and exhuasting to put it mildly. I'm hoping the same stubbornness that makes you refuse to listen to me, hold my hand when we cross the street, or stop talking, will also be the stubbornness that pushes you to resist peer pressure, and fight for what you believe in.
This year you went from my tough Zachy, to my sensitive Zachy. You're always willing to fight, and stand up for yourself, but now this was the year that you discovered your own emotions. Watching you navigate these two seemingly contradictory worlds has been interesting. We've had some issues with punching friends, and yelling at other adults, but you're learning.
You loved school this last year. You loved the 2 year old class, and excelled in the 3 year old class. Your ability to absorb and understand information is amazing. The other day you came up to me and told me that when you grow up you're going to be an "asthma doctor for kids", I don't doubt it- you will be a fabulous pediatric pulmonologist some day.
You tried t-ball this year and discovered that it wasn't your favorite sport. Let's be honest, you were there for cool uniforms and the snacks. You were a great batter, but not the best fielder. There was a day when you sat down facing AWAY from home plate when you were "playing" first. You told the coach it was boring, put your glove on your head, and refused to turn around. It was a great moment.
You love to fight with Michael. I know that you love him fiercely, but neither of you are able to express that in a constructive way, so at the moment we have a lot of fighting and yelling at our house. You and Michael may fight constantly, but you adore Grace. You want to be with her all the time, you watch out for her, and you show a gentle side with her, that is rarely shown with anyone else.
You talk CONSTANTLY. No really, from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep, you are talking. You talk fast and loud, all the time! When we ask (or sometimes yell) you to be quiet you respond with "but MOM, I LOVE talking!" You always have something to say. The comments both your school and church teachers always give are that you are so bright and chatty. You my friend, are both bright and chatty.
You're still great at playing alone sometimes. This was the year you really fell in love with Legos. You particularly like the "guys". You build Lego mini figures, dismantle them, mix and match, and then build them bases over and over. You can sit and do this for hours on end. You still love to play with your superheroes, particularly when you play "guys and their pets". This involves superheroes and dinosaurs. I still haven't figured out why the superheroes need pets, or how to pets are selected, but you love that game.
You continued with gymnastics this year, and while I'm not sure you actually have learned gymnastics, you have had such a great time. You've been with the same class for a few years and it is so fun to see you interact with your classmates.
You learned to swim! You don't think you need a floatie anymore, but that's not currently and option.
You make church a nightmare. I wish there was a nicer way to say that, but there's not. You are unwilling to control your voice, play quietly, or leave your siblings alone during Sacrament Meeting. You love love love your church teachers and they love you too! You have learned so much from there. When I think that you aren't listening, you are able to share lots of information with me about what you learned at church and what it means. You're prayers have become so earnest, and I love that.
We've had a long year, but I am excited to see what the next one (or the next 6 months) brings for our family. You are the clown that keeps us laughing, the kid with the huge personality, and enough energy to fuel even the most exhausted parents.
We love you Zach!!
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