Seriously. 8?

Song: Birthday by The Beatles

I have been a parent for eight years.  That blows my mind.  Has it really been that long?  You continue to blow our minds with each new day.  Here are a few things that I am loving about you these days:

You think your sister is super cute and you really adore her.  You love to give her kisses and play light sabers with her.  You also love to tell her, "Mom has a cupcake for you!" in order to get her out of your room so that you can play Legos in peace.
You love Legos.  Period.  I love seeing the new things that you create out of the thousands of pieces you have in your drawer.  The possibilities are endless and you are starting to see that.
You have found some really good friends at school.  I love watching you with them and seeing how well all of you mesh together.
School, specifically any kind of work, continues to be a challenge for you.  Not the work itself - that part is easy.  What is hard for you is sitting down to actually do the work.  However, you love your amazing teacher and you are getting better about getting it done.
I am so proud of how you really try to keep your temper in check when your brother bothers you.  On several occasions, you have tried to resolve your differences yourself and then came to get me for help when your efforts were fruitless.  This is so huge and my heart swells when you succeed in managing disagreements.
You still love a good book as much as I do.  When you start reading a good one, it is hard to get you to put it down.  Love that.
I just love how you love so deeply.  You don't wear your heart on your sleeve and sometimes it is hard to read you.  But, like an onion, you have these great layers and if I peel back just the right amount, you show me your little soul.
As always, you continue to pursue fairness and you have a strong desire to be right.  This is admirable at times and frustrating at others.  I think you will do very well on a Debate Team.

You have grown so much in this last year.  It has been fun to watch.  I still can't believe my baby is so big.  You made me a Mom and every day I learn something new about being your parent.  We are growing together and I thank you for being patient with me as I try to figure it all out.

Happy Birthday, Bubba.  As always, you were the BEST birthday present I have ever gotten.  I love you, little man.