| 09 April 2012
I can't believe I've been a mother for nine years! In some ways it seems longer, in some ways shorter. And I can't believe Alex is halfway through his adulthood.Alex chose to have a birthday party at the gym in the rec center. We invited Hudson Grothe, Luke and Brady Myers, Yuma Eddins, Paul Cabin, RJ Edwards, Jacob Parris, Josh Fortuner, and Josh and Jed Walters - and their families. We set up some games and snacks but mostly everyone just ran around and had fun. On his actual birthday, we went to Twin Dragons and then had Yuma over to play. Some gifts that I can remember: Sonic video game, Dangerous Book for Boys, water guns, lego and erector sets, gift certificates, walkie talkies, and money.
I think this has been a big year in maturation. In schoolwork, Alex has suddenly leapt in his reading ability and has been reading a lot on his own; it started with the Deltora Series by Emily Rodda. It's wonderful seeing him reading on his own for enjoyment and having him read random things like signs and instructions and such on his own. His math book has become more independent as well and his ability to just work on his daily checklist and take care of his responsibilities. He seems to have realized that when he just buckles down and does what he needs to do, he is then free to pursue his own thing.
Right now he's into survival type stuff. It started with the show Surivor Man (Les Stroud) and now he does a lot of reading about those sorts of things and spends time digging for grubs, making spears and bows, and checking out plants. I love that he just runs outside and spends hours and hours exploring. He also spends a lot of time building things like dams and machines and various inventions.
Avalon now sleeps on a futon mattress in Alex's room - their idea. They have a sweet relationship; they really are good friends and their personalities are a good match. Even now they're up there whispering some sort of plans. Alex is good about getting along with his siblings and has been very excited about Joseph's birth, to have another boy in the house. He's also good with friends in that he makes friends easily and doesn't get into a lot of arguments, I think because he's willing to play most games that they might be interested in.
Chess was another interest of this year. He took classes in the fall but it was too hard to continue once Joseph was born but he wasn't too interested in the class. But he has some natural talent for the strategy and he and Tom play quite a bit. They made a chess set this Christmas from wood with bits of hardware for the pieces.
I would say the thing Alex is working on now is perserverance and letting go of material attachment. When things get difficult, he often quits or complains or stops liking it. He's not particularly good at long term projects and things need to be broken down into steps for him to make better progress. The material attachment - he has a hard time sharing and getting rid of things. He has a bunch of little "collections" of things in his room, like pistachio nut shells and coupons??? I'm not sure how much to push him to get rid of things like this.
I think Alex is making some spiritual progress. He told me the other day that Reconciliation isn't so bad anymore. And he seems proud to be a Catholic. I think the straightforward rules and the sacraments are appealing to him. And he does a good job learning the cathecism.
I have really enjoyed this year with him. I think it's a fun age and Alex is genuinely fun to be around. He has kept his curiousity and imagination and enthusiasm. We love you Alex!