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| finn oliver |
i look forward to making this every year on your birthday.
here are ELEVEN thoughts on you, mr. finn oliver.
1. you are officially a tween!
a year ago today, you asked if you were a tween.
i said one more year and today, at eleven, you are there.
you are on the cusp of becoming a young man finn.
some days you show the typical signs of growing up - seeking out quiet places to sit alone,
but other days you are still such a boy - on the floor with scout building or playing with legos, making elaborate forts with every blanket we have, and having pillow fighting naked.
{that's for a separate post}.
2. science and space still fascinates you
you can't get enough of either subject and ask for new books or to be taken to the library often when you've exhausted the resources you have. your father introduced you to radio lab and science fridays years ago on public radio and you try not to miss an episode. {you still watch nova too}.
you have a thirst for learning finn and we do our best to keep that thirst alive in you. we have lots of jobs as your parent, and this is one of 'em.
3. you're older than your years
since you were born, you're father and i have said you are an 'old soul'. from early on, you were never typical finn...in any way. road trips and cross country plane trips were a breeze - you'd sit quietly and watch back to back full length movies without a peep. {all we had to supply was an extra laptop battery}. your attention span was beyond that of someone your age and if we engaged your mind, you were easy. it's the same today. if i had to put my finger on another word that makes you older than your years today, it's self discipline. this serves you well in everything you do finn - from homework to piano practice to how you spend your free time. {i wish i had your level of discipline}
3. your favorite food is still spaghetti
you'd be happy to eat this every night of the week. throw in some red sauce and meatballs and you are in heaven. {french toast and sausage is still your favorite breakfast}
4. you are excited about starting middle school
though your father and i thought you might be a little anxious about starting a new school in the fall, you haven't shown any signs. you talk about it openly and often. you are most excited about having a new science teacher, joining the science club and meeting new kids who share your passion.
5.friends
one of your closest friends {joshua} moved away this past summer and you've missed him so much. you stay in touch with him and remain close to the same group of boys you've known since kindergarten and 1st grade. you may be small in size, but you are respected by your peers, stand tall and are a leader among your friends. as you get older and your friends become even a bigger part of your life, we hope you surround yourself with kids who make good choices and have similar values.
6. you are 52" tall, weigh 55 lbs and still have blondest of hair
we wonder if your hair will darken when you hit puberty? you are still slight, but it doesn't bother you in the slightest. you casually told your dad and me, that you are the shortest in your class but it didn't matter because "having intelligence and being kind is what's important".
i agreed, but i rate kindness higher than intelligence. {although being intelligent isn't a bad goal to strive for finn}. i secretly enjoy that you are a size 7/8, can fit into cute pjs from the carters store, and that i can still give you an occasional piggy back ride.
7. you are good with young children and dogs
the patience you show with your high-spirited brother may have something to do with your ability to tune into the needs of little ones and animals. i will never forget being at my wits end with scout one weekend, and you walking into the room saying "i've got this mom, you can go". you said it calmly, respectfully and with such intent that i walked out of the room and let you have it. ten minutes later, you come to me saying "scout is calm and is resting in bed with patches {his sock dog}. you were a miracle worker that morning and continue to be a great brother to scout. friends and neighbors with younger children observe your special talent and have asked when you can start babysitting. 13 we say.
7. you are not a sports kid
you've made this declaration to your father and i many times when we've encouraged you to kick the soccer ball around with your brother or asked if you wanted to try playing soccer again. you pass. you would much rather build, read, design or spend time thinking than play team sports. you are a lot like grandpa shappard in this way. still, you understand your body need to exercise {like your mind}, so you swim often, ride your bike and agree to take tennis lessons. we've learned individual sports seem to suit you best.
8. science fiction is your favorite genre
you no longer just read technical books/manuals, you now read fiction too! after discovering the enders game series and the martian, you are hooked. you'd probably read only sci-fi if it weren't for your teacher requiring you to read other genres for your 5th grade class' 1,000 book challenge.
9. you are a lover
though you often are like spock of star trek - intelligent and oh so logical, you also have a heart that knows how to love and feel. this combination is not always easy to come by and my hope is you continue to be comfortable showing affection even with so much science in your head. scout needs your compassion and affection when he gets angry or sad. your father and i need your daily hugs too. being able to love openly and freely shows vulnerability and is a beautiful thing finn. my hope is you hold onto that part of yourself forever.
10. sense of humor
as logical as you are, you also have a great sense of humor. i see it with your little brother but even more with your friends.
11. you make the world a better place
your kindness, thoughtfulness, concern for the world your live in, and those you don't live in yet{mars}, remind us all to love life and to live bravely and boldly every day.
i am thanking heaven for you today finn oliver.
happy birthday.
