Ten... a few weeks late

 Eli,

I can't believe I'm this late posting for your birthday, and not just any birthday, your 10th birthday! 

We went on our first cruise in November of last year and we had an amazing time.  Then we celebrated Christmas with Aunt Erin, Uncle Dennis, Nik and Jak for the first time.  Then the calendar rolled into 2020 and boy what a year it has been! January and February were fairly normal but then came March... on March 16 TES closed for the school year.  I was sent home from work and you, Emily and I were officially on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.  We ended up being in complete lockdown as a family for 11 days due to Emily running a fever.  We didn't go anywhere.  We basically homeschooled until May and then found out that there would be no summer camp either.  So you, Emily and I spent the whole summer together as well.  You didn't go back to school until the end of August and when you went back to school we realized that you were very anxious about getting the coronavirus.  This has been a hard year but I honestly think when you look back you're going to see this past summer as the best one ever.  You and Emily became super independent.  The two of you and all your neighborhood friends ruled Meadows Lane, fixed your own lunch and snacks, stayed up all night, watched too much TV and played too many video games but boy did you have fun!

You are growing up so much.  I said 2 years ago when Logan turned 10 that it was hard to believe I had a 10 year old... and now my middle child, my miracle, rainbow baby is 10 and I can't believe that even more.  I love you so very much and am loving watching you grow into the person you are becoming. But you're also challenging us with your competitiveness and attitude.  You sometimes think you know more than anyone else and we have to remind you that we are the parents.  I have always known these days were coming, I remember being a kid, but man, how did we get here so fast?

I'm sorry I'm so ridiculously late on your birthday post.  Like I said, it's been a crazy year.  We went to Dave & Buster's as a family (with Mammaw and Pappaw) for your birthday and it was lots of fun but I sure hope we can have a real party with all of your friends next year!

I love you sweet boy!

-Mom