Happy Birthday Little Monkey
I wonder how much longer I’ll be able to call you that before you start to complain that you aren’t so little anymore? You’re not you know – you are not so little any more Enrique - you are getting so big. I find it hard to believe that you are nine years old today. NINE! Can you believe that? – I know you can – but it seems so close to 10 and I am not quite sure I am ready for my “baby” to be that big quite yet. I’m working on it little man because whether or not I am ready you are growing up.
So Mr. Nine year old – you have grown a lot this year and I’m not just talking about your hair. This past year you have really begun to stand up for yourself around here – especially with Luis. It has been funny to hear you shut him up by simply reminding him “Well, you don’t have to be mean about it!” For the most part, you two get along really well and I am always happy to see the way the two of you hang out with each other and play outside with the neighbors.
You’ve been working hard in school and you love your Karate classes. You’ve gained some self confidence and strength in those classes and it has been such a joy to see that carry over into the other parts of your life. You are always curious and still ask so many questions. I love that you are always exploring your world in that way. You are kind, and generous. You have a big heart full of compassion and have an amazing sense of right, wrong and what is fair. You are able to express your thoughts and feelings in a ways that even I am unable to do. It still amazes me how much I learn from you, your brother and your sister about being a better human. I take comfort in knowing this world will be left to people like you.
You’ve always been the little clown of our family and you have always found a way to make us all laugh. This past year you have discovered sarcasm and you love to use it. I, however, am not always such a big fan of your timing. I still chuckle when you are not looking :O)
Enrique I am so proud of you and feel so lucky to be your mother. You in so many ways that you may never understand filled a whole in my heart and a whole in our family that we didn’t know had been there until you arrived. You are my favorite surprise and you always will be. I love you little monkey – and I always will…..
forever
mommy
