Mom's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 10

Dear Drew,

Double Digits baby!  You finally made it - 10 years old.  One decade ago you made your Dad and I parents, and  I can't believe how quickly time is flying.  In a few short years you'll be spreading your wings and taking on the world.

But for now, you're still my punkin',  under our roof and learning to slowly expand your wings.  Over the past year we're starting to see you bloom into the young man you are becoming, but still watching you cling to the innocence of childhood.  I'm cherishing what little time we have to enjoy this childhood innocence, because unfortunately those eyes of innocence disappear as the realities of the world take over your day-to-day.

Now in the 4th grade, you are tackling more challenges at school and even at home.  Chores are beefing up, homework is taking longer, and now you're taking on an instrument.  All of this will help you grow into the responsible young man I dream you will become.  I love the questions you have about anything and everything - challenging what we know and showing off a bit what you know.  Asking the questions about things you're uncertain of, and taking risks.  Including finally learning how to ride your bike!! 

Just as you are learning with bike riding, there are times in life you will fall, but it's so very important to get back up and try again. So what if it's challenging and difficult - that is what makes the accomplishments that come from overcoming these challenges that much more rewarding.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Don't get worked up over things that tomorrow really won't matter.  Instead, focus on what you do have - what's truly important - and stay positive. 

That is what I dream for you this year and every year - continue to grow in every aspect in your life. Be the best person you can be.  Someone kind, respectful, responsible and loving.

I love you bud, and I love that you're still my little boy, even if you're busy reminding me that you're about to become a "tween".  Fight the good fight and work hard to make your dreams come true.

I love you more!
Mom

Interests:

• Marvel Action Figures & Movies
• Lego Mini Figures
• Playing baseball
• Playing guitar
• Riding your bike
• Watching YouTube Videos
• Netflix Shows
• Traveling & staying in hotels
• Water - pools, beaches

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 7

Dear Drew,

Lucky number seven - Happy Birthday!  You're so excited to grow up, but please cherish these young years - they go by so fast.  Take a moment to look around and enjoy the moment.  First grade!  You're one confident boy, and I love seeing you interact with other kids.  The stories you all share and conversations - albeit likely about MineCraft - are so fun to listen to.

Girls?  You may think they're gross and weird right now, but I see you showing off for them and acting silly, so I know you like them  Someday you're going to make one of those girls very happy!  Just remember to be yourself, your manners, and the right way to treat people.

I still love our nightly conversations - and our reading time. I love when you ask "Can you read me Harry Potter?".  I know you could do it yourself if you wanted to, but it's so special, I'm enjoying that reading time and adventure with you.  I'm sure it's soon to come to an end and I'll miss it as much as our cuddle time.

In the past year we've seen so many changes:

- You fight for what you believe and you don't let anyone take advantage of you. If they do you let them hear it.  Good for you!  Although sometimes you aren't going to be right and sometimes you need to let the other person "win" even if you are or think you're right.  Compromise is good.

- I love that you defend your friends from "bullies".  Keep it up.  As we've told you, you will likely get in trouble at school, but as long as you aren't "throwing the first punch" you won't be in trouble at home.  I love that you can resolve most of these altercations with words.  Keep it up!

- Keep reading!  Keep learning!  Keep asking questions!  I love how inquisitive you are and how you ask questions until you've depleted every possible answer out of a person.

- You're a perfectionist.  While this is good, you need to remember to cut yourself some slack... but not too much.

- I love that while you like time with your friends, you still like your solo time.  That's such an important skill to have.

- Sports, you're Dad's Mini-me.  We've seen so much imrovement in your abilities.  Everything from switch hitting this season in Rookie Ball to being more aggressive in soccer.  That's awesome!  Keep it up.  Play with passion because when the passion dies, it's time to leave the sport.

You really are a loveable boy - everyone who comes across you tells us that.  While I think so (I'm admittedly bias) it's always reaffirming that others feel the same way. While I hate that you're growing up, I love seeing who you're growing up to be.    So here's to another year of adventures and fun.



I love you to Neptune and back infinity times,

Mommy

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 6

Drew,
In a blink of an eye, you've turned six.  As I tell you nearly everyday... stop growing up!  Well at least slow it down a little for me okay?  Before long, you'll no longer want to "cuddle cuddle" at night or on those rare occasions throughout the day - boy I'm going to miss that.
In the past year we've seen so many changes in you.  Not only have you shot up about 2-3 inches, but you've matured.  While we were nervous about holding you back in TK this time last year, we know we did the right thing for you and now the confidence you have is astounding.  Keep it up!  I know you've been disappointed that you couldn't "skip kindergarten" and head of to first grade like many of your friends, but I know we're doing the best thing for you.  Just remember to challenge yourself and never lose that thirst for knowledge.
Some of the little things we've noticed this past year...

• You moved from TK to Kindergarten without any nervousness whatsoever, despite changing schools


• You astound me with how much that little brain of you knows. For example, just last month you asked how old Uncle Matt turned on his birthday... I said, Mommy's age, minus two.  And you answered immediately how hold he was.  Then looking over at Grammy you asked how old she was.  Never in a million years thinking you'd get it right, I told you "Mommy's age, plus 21."  You thought about it for maybe 2 seconds and got it first try... thankfully I have witnesses, I don't think anyone else would've believed me.  Math and reading come so easy for you, don't cheat yourself and start slacking as the years go by, challenge yourself.


• Soccer and Tball, you take both on with a competitor's heart.  Just remember it's all about having fun, don't take things too serious.


• I love watching your imagination reading "I Spy" or various "Look and Finds" as you take any small action figure on a ride that only you can explain.  You can do that for hours and it's so wonderful to watch.  Don't grow out of that too fast.


• Your sense of wanderlust and adventure is awesome.  We love taking you on adventures and yes, those famous hotel stays you love.  I'm not sure what you loved more this year... the Embassy Suites or the trip to Virginia...


• Our little chats to/from school or those moments before bed... you have no idea how truly special they are to me.  They give me such insight into the person you're growing up to be.  I hope you always share things with your Dad and I.


• I love watching you become Daddy's little buddy.  He can do no wrong in your eyes, I hope you keep that sense of innocence and admiration.


• If it's a movie that Daddy loves, you love it - Star Wars, Goonies, The Neverending Story, Indiana Jones Trilogy... etc.  You are two peas in a pod.

I thank God everyday for blessing us with you.  Just keep being you, don't try to change for anyone else, keep that sweet heart of yours, and that amazing intelligence.  You never cease to amaze us.  I cannot wait to see how much you grow this next year, just promise not to grow up too fast, huh?
I love you all the way to Neptune and back 500 times,
Mommy

Merry Christmas Eve - The Answers

Merry Christmas Eve from our family to yours!


If you were lucky enough to get a Christmas letter from us, you realize we did something a little unique this year. Since our life is an open blog, what fun is it to catch you up on our year in a letter? You've already read about it.

So we did a crossword puzzle. Here are the answers if you couldn't figure it out for yourself.... (CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)


And here were the questions - (remember to Click on the image to enlarge).


I have to admit, this was rather fun. Perhaps this will be a new annual tradition? What did you all think? Too hard? (Dave had a hard time with a few of them...)

And if you made it through the "homework" card.... here's a little caroling for you:

Dreaming of Letters

Friday night was kind of a lazy night in the Briseno's household. After a rough week, I didn't feel like cooking so we ran down to Blockbuster to pick out a movie and then out to Chevy's for dinner (where we ran into our Pastor and his family).

After a long wait, we finally got our table and had dinner, but that meant that Drew didn't get to bed at the 7:30 hour he's fallen asleep at since his injury. We got home close to 9pm, and by that point he wanted nothing to do with bed.

Rather he fell asleep on my his body pillow, watching "Johnny", and of course cuddling with his letters. Yes, that would be a "D" he's clinging to in his left hand. Daddy had to pry it out of his hands when he carried him to his crib shortly after this picture.

Is TV Really a Bad Thing?

So I'm wondering if this is another sign our son is watching too much TV? He's known all the letters of the alphabet for a few weeks, but now he can tell us what sound it makes!

Ms. Stephanie has this Leap Frog movie for her boys (ages 3 & 2) to teach the alphabet & phonics. Well Drew LOVES it!

As I've mentioned, we use flashcards, we were recently handed down some letter fridge magnets (well dishwasher magnets in our case), and I picked up some foam letters this weekend for the bathtub. Oh, I must say the bath letters were the best purchase we made - Drew finally loves our bathtub again - after playing favorites for Ms. Stephanie's tub....

Back to my point - if we let him he'll spend hours giving us letters, and telling us that it's an "A" or his favorite the "Y". Within the past week, we've added on to the game. It's now he'll grab a letter - say "B" - and tell us "B" and make the "Buh, Buh" sound for B. "E" or any vowels, he'll make the long and short vowel sound.

For some of the letters, he'll even tell you what word starts with that letter. So he'll hand you a "T"... and say "tah, tah, tah, T-for towel". And so-on.

Seriously - is he going to be reading before the age of two? He's just a sponge, and we can barely keep up with him! It's so much fun!

And who said TV was a bad thing?