Dear Eli,
I seriously cannot believe that you are nine years old! Wanna hear a sad thought? Your time in our home is half over. Yep, that's right. You'll be out of the house to go on your mission, hopefully, as soon as you turn 18, so the time that we have with you is officially half over. That thought takes my breath away and makes my heart skip a beat. In a bad way, of course. I try to not think about it or I start to cry. I worry that I haven't taught you enough these past nine years and that we're really going to have to cram these next nine years to get you ready for life in the big, bad world.
You are one seriously sensitive child. You get offended easily and take things personally. When you're upset, you lash out in anger and take your feelings out on the person that hurt you. You can be very difficult be around and I frequently feel like I'm at a loss with what to do with you. You've been having HUGE tantrums lately where you slam your door, kick the walls, and scream so loudly that you make your voice hoarse. Your dad and I recently went to a counselor about how to help you. Your pediatrician also recommended that we take you to a therapist to help you learn how to process your emotions in a healthier way. You've had one appointment so far and will hopefully go every few weeks. Hopefully it will help you!
You love to play with friends, read Dog Man books, play Minecraft, bake treats, and jump on the trampoline. You're social and have lots of friends. Your dad and I always laugh because you have the strongest case of FOMO we've ever seen. The thought of anyone doing anything fun without you ever kills you. You want to be in the center of the action at all times. You're a follower and love to do whatever the crowd is doing.
You still basically eat all the same things that you always have, without trying much new. I do feel like it's kind of my fault though because I rarely make foods you don't like. With all four of you boys home all summer, it's been kicking my butt. We usually just eat chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, scrambled eggs, cereal, and Little Caesars pizza. I rarely make you eat fruit or veggies because you fight me on it so hard when I do. At this point in my life, I don't have the time or energy to make too much of a fuss about it. Hopefully life will calm down a little soon and I can re-dedicate myself to helping you make healthier food choices!
You and your brothers have been having the time of your life this summer staying up late, playing with the neighbors running back and forth between their houses, going to Lagoon multiple times a week, going on vacations, and pretty much doing whatever you want. We make you help us clean the basement on Saturdays, but other than that, you don't have any chores or real responsibilities. I know I should be making you do more, but it's so hard to listen to the whining that I usually just do things myself. I know that's not the right way to parent, but I get lazy I guess! I definitely want to teach you how to be a hard worker and I don't want to spoil you, so I know I need to do better about giving you responsibilities.
Summer really messes up our schedule, so you're not usually in bed until about 9:30 or 10:00. Of all my kids, you show your tiredness most. You do these loooooong blinks and squint your eyes like you can hardly keep them open. It's so funny! If I ever ask you if you're tired, however, you will deny it no matter what. You always fall asleep super fast. Lately, you've been sleeping in until about 8:30 or so.
You've only lost two teeth, one of which was pulled out by the dentist. One of your top teeth is loose but the other feels rock solid. You honestly don't seem to mind too much that you're one of the only kids your age with a mouth full of baby teeth. It's awesome. You're so cute and a part of me really loves that you still have so many baby teeth because it makes you seem less grown up than you actually are.
You are a great artist. You've been really into making comic books the past few months. They're usually about adventures that kids have. Sometimes they're about potty humor too. Ha ha. I'm always really impressed by your drawings and creativity. Your teacher last school year said that you're an "amazingly talented" writer, which I totally agree with. I love reading what you write! Another one of your talents is that you're a great cook. I recently taught you how to make chocolate chip cookies and you can make them all by yourself. You take pride in the fact that you can cook. I always tell you that the other missionaries are going to love you on your mission because you'll be the one who knows how to cook. I'm trying to teach you the skills you'll need to be successful out on your own- laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.
Eli, you're a great kid. You are smart, kind, fun, curious, intense, funny, and snuggly. I love being your mom so much. I wish you'd hang out with me more though! It seems like all you want to do is be with your friends. They come over in the morning and hang out allllll day long. I'm so glad you have friends though! I love you so much and can't wait to see what you do with your life! Thanks for being mine.
Love forever,
Mama
