Happy birthday, James!

Happy birthday to the newest teenager, James, who is a delightfully kind, dedicated, clever, and handsome son.  We are blessed to have him in our family.  

We are excited to celebrate him on Christmas and then again in January at iFly, an indoor skydiving experience he requested instead of a traditional birthday party.

James still loves video games and our cats but has also found an appreciation for travel. While James can be known as a bit reserved in some settings, while traveling he is willing to experience the environment (fully engaging in museums), navigate public transportation systems (helping us visit most stations in London this past summer), and get excited about the history of areas (being the most engaged in locating seemingly obscure historical gravesites in Boston over Thanksgiving break). He loves learning and will research the heck out of anything that catches his fancy. My neighborhood walk with him yesterday included a solid 30-minute deep dive into the nuances of tank speed and turret design in warfare.

Soccer is another joy for James. After two seasons with the rec league in our town, which was completely disorganized (more like pick-up games), he switched to another local league. James landed with a stern but friendly father-coach who also preferred playing defense and quickly became his favorite. The team won the season, and the coach nominated James for the All-Star game, noting that James was the only player he had never subbed out all season.  This winter, we signed James up for a winter indoor league with his best friend, Sawyer, which should be fun. 

While he is doing well in middle school, easily getting all As in his classes, middle school culture still isn’t fun. He has his band of friends but doesn’t appreciate the rough-and-tumble mean spirit of so many of the kids. I keep thinking, “Better to not peak in high school,” but it’s tough to watch James move through these years after such a safe and positive elementary experience. 

I’m grateful that James (and all of us, too) continues to have animals in his life to create balance and comfort. Dylan the cat is still fully obsessed with James, running to jump on his lap when he hears a blanket unfold and then purring loudly when he gets in position. 

James’s favorite person, who sees him as a favorite, too, is still Alma. While they have more distance than when they were in the same classroom at WCDS (for three years!) or the middle school last year, they remain close. They make each other laugh, enjoy watching shows together, and support each other when petitioning their parents for extra perks. I’m grateful they have a solid relationship and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

James, we love you so very much and are so proud of the person you are. Like your big sister, we were happy to catch you as the stork flew by our house that exciting Christmas day. As the only baby born at the Bethlehem hospital that day, this special day -- and all our days since -- have become much brighter with you in our lives.