jack is 8! what?! when?! seriously?!

it's a big year for jack.  he is now officially 8 years old and in our church that is a big deal.   i am amazed each day as i watch him.  he is so inquisitive, analyzing, and naturally good at everything.  when it comes to just about everything…jack gets it.  he's not perfect, but he's perfect for our family.  i know i've written before about how smitten i was with him from the first moment i met him, but i just can't say enough about how much i love this kid.  i'm so glad he's still a little needy at nighttime (wanting me to cuddle and scratch his back) because he is starting to pull away a little bit from the hugs and kisses.  it KILLS me.  i thought i had him good and brainwashed into always giving me hugs and kisses…we will see.

here are a few things i want to remember about my 7/8 year old jack.

    •    he is such a handsome boy and i get people telling me that all the time.

    •    he is the same size and weight as his little brother max (2 years younger), but it doesn't seem to bother him too much…yet.  he just smiles and goes on when someone asks me if they are twins.  it happens all the time.

    •    jack usually knows the answer…and he wants you to know that he knows.
    •    jack can get super silly and can have us all in stitches in an instant.

    •    jack's silliness often happens at inappropriate times.  were working on that one.
    •    he is still our super sensitive boy and i'm really trying to figure out how to best parent that.  i know i don't react well most of the time.
    •    jack loves basketball and can now be found most days in our backyard playing on our newly poured basketball court.  he has schooled me in 'p-i-g' and 'h-o-r-s-e' more times than i care to admit.
    •    he is taking piano lessons and can memorize a song in no time.  of course that means we hear the song over and over.  we are still hearing 'up on the housetop' regularly.
    •    jack is very responsible when it comes to getting things done.  (except perhaps keeping his closet clean)  i must admit that he is my 'go to guy' when it comes to little household tasks.   ("will you please take the garbage out, change the wash, unload the dishwasher, wipe off the counters, etc.")  he knows how to do it all and usually does it willingly.
    •    jack is very wary of people and situations he is not familiar with.  he has passed up play dates and even birthday parties if they involve homes and people that he does not know well. 
    •    jack thrives on routine.  he always wants to know what to expect and what is on the agenda.  it can get tough at times because he usually wants to know the exact amount of time something will take.  he gets frustrated when i cannot give him a definitive answer.  he definitely is not his father's son in that regard.  paul is still trying to get a handle on the concept of time.
    •    i never have to worry about jack's school work and homework.  it's done and done well without much of a word from me or his dad.

    •    jack has the most beautiful skin.  i would have never guessed that my red head would have gotten the nice skin from my father, but he sure did.  he has beautiful auburn hair, carmel skin, and clear blue eyes.  like i said…he's a looker.

    •    jack gets along with his sister ella famously.  i can't remember the last time i heard them argue.  i love that they are close and care about each other.  below is the cutest note that he wrote to ella just a couple of weeks ago...for no reason at all.

    •    jack is very creative and loves to spend time coming up with 'inventions'.  i love to see his little brain working.

• jack has insisted on wearing suit pants, a belt, white shirt and tie to church for well over a year.  he likes looking dressed up…just like his dad.  

    •    on that same note, he loves spending time with his dad.  if paul is ever going to work late i have to come up with some other fun activity to ease the pain.  there is no one he'd rather hang out with.

jack is one special kid and we are so blessed to have him in our family.  we can't wait to celebrate him even more in a couple of weeks at his baptism.  happy birthday little man jack.  love you more than all the numbers.