Two + Two = Us

Dear Xavier,

Seven! Can you believe it? Another year older and another year wiser. And, yes, you are most definitely wise and inquisitive. You ask thoughtful, challenging questions and truly want to know more about everything. As both your teacher and your mom, there have been countless times where I've thought you weren't listening but then you'd come right back at me with a thought-provoking comment or question that makes me realize that you not only were paying attention, but you were trying to wrap sense around it in your head.

You are also so very kind and generous. You always want to pray for the homeless and homebound, and often you want to bring a ziplock bag of your allowance money to donate to the poor or the church. You also are eager to share. If Lolo gives you a snack, you immediately give some to your sister (something that is not often reciprocated, haha). You are also quick to lend books to friends and give all your classmates cards and pictures just because.

Math still comes way easier to you than reading. You've already mastered many of your multiplication facts on your own just because you're interested. I'm working on them with your sister, but you've taken it on yourself to know them, too. Your brain is wired way differently than mine, though, because when I ask you to explain how you arrive at an answer, you've gone a completely different way than I would get to it.

You also have an uncanny ability to fall asleep anywhere - on the floor by the stairs, in hallways, camped out in front of our bedroom, etc. I've been meaning to make an album of all the crazy places you've fallen asleep! We joke that you're just like Lolo!

Don't know why you woke up early then got your chair to camp out in front of our room just to snooze some more!

I won't lie, though. You definitely have the ability to drive me crazy. Everything's always a joke or funny to you, and it's hard to get you to concentrate or be serious about things like practicing your violin. Even when we reprimand you on something, you try to weasel your way out with your charm or a silly act. And when it comes to remembering where you put things like water bottles or lunch boxes or library books, you quickly turn into Forgetful Jones. I don't even know how much allowance money you've given back to me to offset the cost of such lost items!

But, alas, all of these things make you you. And for that, I love you. You've come pretty far in your seven years. I look back at those pictures from before and it all seems so hazy and far away. I miss holding a little tiny you. I miss your scratchy voice from those toddler years. I miss it all, but I'm also so excited to see what comes next because I'm convinced that you're going to continue to do incredible things with yourself and I can't wait to see what it is!

Love,
Mommy

P.S. This was the first time in several years that we weren't traveling for your birthday. We had promised you a birthday party, but then you said you were content just celebrating it small with our family. The night before we went to Uncle Julio's for a yummy dinner and chocolate pinata since daddy had to work during your actual birthday dinner. And the day you turned 7 was spent doing everything you wanted - Mass, brunch at Ruby Sunshine, a family bike ride, trip to Above All trampoline park, time spent playing at home with your new birthday gifts, and a Filipino birthday dinner made by Lola. Not a bad birthday, kid!