Daniel's 10th Birthday Letter

 Dear Daniel,

Today you reached a new milestone in your life. You made it to the double digits. I can't believe it's been 10 whole years since the nurse laid you on my chest. You were perfect. Although, looking back you kind of looked like a little alien...but moms are blind to that. I was so in love with you and in awe. I always dreamed of having kids, and God blessed me with you.

Over this past year you have grown so much. First of all, you are up to my shoulders! Almost 5 feet tall in 4th grade. I keep wondering what year you'll pass me up? You've also grown and matured a lot. You have helped me SO much. I know you don't always enjoy it (because what kid really likes being told what to do?), but you do it. It's nice to have someone that will help me when my back is hurting by carrying laundry up and down the stairs, helping to carry in the groceries and take the trash out. You've shown that you can be responsible and trustworthy too. That doesn't mean that you don't have an impulsive side that leaves me scratching my head some days. You also do plenty of immature things as well. Just this week you put a stuffed fox in a pair of underwear and I found them spinning on your ceiling fan. Today you and James won these spiky balls from a claw machine and you stuffed them in your shirt and told me you had spiky boobs. I say it all the time. Boys are WEIRD.

Highlights over the past year have been:

• surviving 3rd grade which was a giant mess of remote learning, half days of school and full days off school.
• finally learning how to ride a bike...which you picked up in 1 day!
• checking a new state off your list. We went to Nebraska and finally got to meet your cousin Katie who was almost 2 years old!
• getting Covid and having to quarantine for 10 days. Thankfully yours was super mild. A one day fever, a nasty cough and a slight runny nose. But now you can tell your kids someday that you survived the Rona.
• getting to go on an actual field trip! The 4th grade went to Springfield and got to go to the Lincoln museum and grave site. You were so dang excited and from the sounds of it, you loved every minute. I can't wait to go back with you sometime!

Yesterday we went to your conference and your teacher didn't have one negative thing to say. She said you're an awesome kid. You follow the rules. You follow directions. And your test scores for math and reading a far above average. You've passed the multiplication and division computer program, so she's excited to get the fraction program to challenge you more! I sure wish I had your math skills, but I'm thankful you understand it so well and love it, because I would be LOST!

Today we celebrated by having cake for breakfast and going to Chuck E Cheese. That part was for James too, since I missed most of his birthday. You 2 had a lot of fun and I loved seeing the smiles on your faces. 

Here's to an awesome year of being 10! I love you so much and I am proud of the person you are becoming.

Love,
Mom