Happy 11th Birthday Mikey

Wow... eleven years old!  Where does the time go?  We just got back from our annual birthday trip to Calgary.  We always stay in a hotel and then hit Build-a-Bear.  I question each year if this will be the year if you decide that you are now too old for Build-a-Bear.  But each year we go in there and your eyes light up and run around the store looking for the perfect bear, with the perfect sound and the perfect outfit.  And each year you found it.  This year's treasure is a frog with a button down shirt and sweater vest.  Once we bgot back to the hotel, your frog even got a personal concert as you played songs for him on the keyboard that grandma and grandpa got you for Christmas.

The other part of your birthday present made me both sad and excited.  You were thrilled to see and play with your new D.S.  There are a few more wrapped games waiting for you this morning whenever you decide to get up.  It was odd to be given you such "grown up" toys and then watching you get so engrossed in the toy.  It begs the question over and over of where has my baby gone.

You are becoming such a determined, funny "tween" just as you were a determined, funny child.  When I think back to where you were a year ago it is amazing to me how much you continue to grow and mature.  I'm excited, scared, happy, nervous and sad all at once.  I want so much to stay in this moment with you but with your rapid growth I often find myself caught up in making sure that we are doing everything right to ensure that you have the best future that you can have.  And the moment gets lost and suddenly I look at you and realize how much you have changed since the last moment that I really stopped and celebrated with you.

And so my vow to you this year is to now lose any of the precious moments of your life.  To regularly take the time to just be with you.  To find a balance between looking to the future and living in the now.  Part of that process is to continue to come back to this blog to have a way to celebrate and remember and someday share these memories with you.

I love you my dear wonderful son.  You are my life's greatest blessing.  Happy 11th Birthday to you :).