Happy 8th GreyNinja!
The understatement of the year, literally and figuratively, would be to say how much you’ve grown. No doubt you’re still the tallest in your class — that’s a given — but these days, according to your teacher, you’re also one of the top readers. Fearful you’d fall behind during the pandemic, we hired a reading tutor to work with you work five days a week and it’s more than paid off; your confidence and leadership skills have skyrocketed in the classroom … and, well, pretty much everything else.
What remains constant is your love for “stuffies”, comprising nearly all of your gift requests (again). Since Floyd the Flamingo has been showcased pretty heavily these days, we scheduled “The Flamingo Mingle” encounter at the Aviary. Sadly it was canceled due to an extended mating season, but you were still able to have an encounter with a Falcon. As usual, you were cool with it, saying, “It’s fine Mommy. I love all types of birds.”
Sticking with the bird theme, you yourself have become a bit of an early bird: For Zoom classes, school drop-offs, and chores that need to be done. In the morning you’re the first to make your bed after breakfast, which by the way, you do exceptionally well. You often ask me to pick up the pace when we’re headed somewhere, which has actually surprised me. I would’ve pegged Cash as the only one to have this traditionally “first born” trait, but you’ve caught the bug as well. As Pow Pow says, “Being early never hurt anybody,” so good for you Grey!
In the past I’d remind you what time your Zoom classes began, but nowadays, I find you already seated, logged on and ready. Same goes for tutoring. You always know how many minutes you have until it’s 4:00 p.m., which has also surprised me. With things set up ahead of time, exactly how you like them, there’s no question you’ve leveled up your independence game.
Still though, we cannot sleep on Grey the jokester. Like when you ask me to brush your teeth, only to say, once I’ve gone into the bathroom, “Just kidding Mom! I already did it!” I fall for it every time. Or when you come show me you changed your underwear but really just pulled them over your dirty pair. Or when you hide behind the bathroom door in the same exact hiding spot every.single.night. Calling out for Daddy or me to come look for you, you’re always mystified by how we “discovered” you, doubling over with laughter and pride.
But, most shocking of all this year has to be the growth in your vocabulary. I passed out when, during a routine disagreement, you called Cash a “fucking dumbass!” My sweet baby Grey — where on earth did you learn those words?! “What,” you said non-chalantly,“I mean, he IS a dumbass. And those aren’t bad words.” Stifling my laughter, I assured you that they are in fact bad words. Then ran to tell Daddy.
As you turn eight, you still love the color green, corn dogs and anything chocolate. Dogs remain your spirit animal, and your newest dream job is to become a “trainer for police dogs.”
Whispering in my ear that you’ve moved on from Kimaya, “I have a crush on Amelia now. But shhhh. Don’t tell Cash!” A quiet, sweet little girl with long blonde ponytails, who, according to your teacher, has a similar disposition as you. “They definitely have a loving friendship.”
At this tender age, I’m grateful you still want to hold my hand, ask me to lie down next to you when you’re scared of the dark, and put aside M&Ms that are yellow because that’s my favorite color. You ask me not to leave town which I’ve done quite a lot recently. “Please Mommy, I want to go with you. I don’t like it when you leave and I have ‘Just Daddy’ days.”
Grey Bear, you are my rocket of awesome. My forever baby. My cutie pie with the green eyes and edible face. And I have a sneaking suspicion that eight is gonna be just great.
I love you Grey Grey.
Always and forever, Mom