Javi’s Eight!

Last month, Javi turned… eight. There were definitely tears on his birthday, and they were definitely from me! I can’t believe he’s 8. Birthdays make me so sad. 🙁

He was happy his birthday fell on a school day because school does a whole thing where you get a birthday pencil and a birthday book and your name is announced on the morning announcements. 🙂 It’s a big deal!

Once he was home, we dropped off the girls at dance and then Sean, Javi and I went out to dinner for tacos. He loved being “the only kid” at the table!

He really wanted a “friend party” but after last year’s — I didn’t have it in me! Talk about stressful! So we stayed small, and went to gramma’s house for a brownie cake after we picked up the girls from their dance classes.

He was also super excited to open presents! These are some of the gifts he was given for his eighth birthday!

No birthday is complete without a few family pics!

And now, for a little recap of Javi… thus far. 🙂

Javi, you are so excited to be 8. You are an energetic, fun, loving child who wakes up each morning (at 5am) and you’re ready to take on the day. You aren’t a “rester” and you’re always on the move — neither your mind nor your body ever stops. You are go-go-go.

You are so smart. You’re a quick learner, and retain information pretty easily — when you’re listening! So far you love school, love to learn, are a great reader, and favor math and science. You also love facts and animals and will read for fun; without even being asked. Right now, you’re reading the second Harry Potter book and also make it a point to read (simpler) books to your sisters before bedtime. You are so creative and love art projects, paper crafts, and building things — you have so many great ideas!

You are such a good friend. You still have the same friends from kindergarten and you’re also making friends along the way. You know everybody’s name (and their siblings and their pets!) You are so funny, love telling jokes and sharing stories about the day and your friends. You can be sensitive — in the best ways!

This summer you learned to ride a 2-wheeler and then quickly moved on to a dirt bike. You also learned to swim, and started jumping off the diving board at the pool. We spent the summer traveling — driving cross country to Montana and making all the stops along the way. You thought all of Yellowstone looked “the same” but you were impressed by the bison. We also spent a week in Puerto Rico, and you continue to love sporting the Puerto Rican flag on your clothing… you’re so proud! You also got your first passport and left the country! You did a few weeks of outdoor camp where you learned to fish, tried archery, orienteering, and canoeing.

This fall, you chose to forego organized sport teams — soccer and baseball haven’t been your favorite in the past — and instead you’re trying Ninja classes once a week. You’re also really active in town Cub Scouts and loves those activities especially camping. Soon, you’ll start weekly swim classes which you are very excited for.

Your goals, this year, are to lose more teeth (two and counting so far), and try new foods (you’re doing really well with this goal!) You’ve also been getting haircuts more consistently and like when the barber shaves letters and designs into the back of your head!

You are such a sweet little kid who really just wants to be big. Sometimes it feels like you are so young and sometimes it feels like you are so old, and that’s been hard to navigate. You are wanting things like a cell phone (no), and to stop using a booster seat (no), and to stay up later (I moved your bedtime to 8!) and to chew gum (makes me so nervous!) so I’m learning to let go slightly. 🙂 It’s not easy for me.

I’m so proud of you and impressed by your talents and abilities. I’m in awe of you every day (even when you do things that make crazy!) I can’t wait to see what year 8 brings you!