Tommy is seven today. I remember back when he was fourish, my mom told me to enjoy his sweetness, because he wouldn’t be a sweet little boy much longer. He’s definitely not a little boy anymore–he is all big kid!–but he has retained a sweetness that his mommy and little sisters sure appreciate. When he’s doing things like wrestling with other boys or getting sweaty after racing around the backyard (pretending to be a Green Bay Packers star), I need to remind myself that those are normal, good boy things to do. I want to enjoy the sweetness and the occasional cuddles on my lap, but I don’t want to mollycoddle him.
Tommy is such a classic firstborn. He is meticulous, thoughtful, a rule follower, pretty compliant (I can’t BELIEVE I read the Strong-Willed Child and thought any of it applied to him! But then, I hadn’t met Susie yet), and introspective. He is remarkably patient with his little sisters, though he does tell me he can’t wait until he turns 13 and gets his own room and be able to keep his legos out all the time. (For the record, if we get to move home sooner than that, he’ll be getting his own room before 13, but for some reason, 13 is the age stuck in his head. Right now, he likes sharing with the big girls.) He has an amazing memory that I should be taking more advantage of. He really wants to please us, and I have to be so careful not to crush his spirit when he gets in trouble. I’m so conscious that he is the firstborn of two firstborns. He also idolizes Daddy–any sport that Derek likes, Tommy likes (and draws endless pictures of, with the two of them in key playing positions).
Tommy is finally coming out of a 4+ year obsession with Cars and Lightning McQueen. (Halleluiah!) He says that Legos are officially his favorite toys now, especially after going to see the Lego Movie with Derek on Saturday. He also likes snap circuits, drawing, painting, and riding his bike. His favorite subject in school is writing (mainly narration exercises and copywork), followed closely by grammar (oral work on parts of speech as well as poem memorization). He loves going to CBS and doing his Romans Bible study with his best bud, Jonah. He is good at math but doesn’t enjoy it as much as language. He really doesn’t have any subjects he dislikes–French, typing, anatomy, geography, and fine arts are always done with enthusiasm. He’s really into reading those silly coffee table type books and can tell you way more than you ever wanted to know about the 2012 Tigers, alphabetical trivia relating to the Green Bay Packers, and the 100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History. (He has not broken into Frank Sinatra: A Life yet. Note that all these cheesy coffee table books belong to someone who is not me.) When he gets into a book, he’ll read it several times in a row–at the moment, he’s relishing How to Eat Fried Worms and Return to the Hundred Acre Wood.
Traditional breakfast in bed
For his birthday this year, we got him a 6-speed bike to replace his little single-speed 16 incher, and, of course, seven books! Elizabeth did extra housework to buy him an extra baseball so that they can practice ground balls together in the afternoons.
I’m so glad I’ve been Tommy’s Mommy for seven years!
Happy birthday Tommy! I remember the day you were born! 🙂
Happy Birthday Tommy! We will call and talk to you when Grandpa gets home from work.
Love,
Gtrandma W