Singing a tune, Ian is 12!

My first born is now officially 12.  It's crazy to think we've kept a kid alive for 12 years. I remember bringing him home from the hospital like it was yesterday.  Next thing you know, they become 12 years old.

Right now, Ian feels like the whole world has a cell phone but him.  EVERY single friend and classmate is mobiley connected but Ian.  Ha!  I don't think its quite that bad, but yes, it seems like this is the year kids have gotten phones.  Jeff and I aren't quite ready yet for Ian to join his peers.  We've had an extra 'spare' phone that we let Ian use from time to time if we need to stay in touch with him.  But as Ian is very aware this is not HIS cell phone.  We are about to enter uncharted territory as Ian is getting a phone as a graduation present from Jeff and me at the end of June.  This is a big time in his life as Ian finishes 6th grade and starts middle school next Fall.  We don't normally see Ian anxious, but the idea of middle school has him concerned.  I know he will do go great.  He is so friendly, outgoing and engaging.  I have no doubt in my mind that Ian will find his niche in middle school and have a great experience.

Besides the transition to middle school, Ian will be in full Bar Mitzvah training and preparation mode this coming year.  It's going to be a big year for him as he heads to 13.  

Ian continued to explore his love of acting and performing by participating in a theatre group on Saturdays.  From 9:00am to 1:00pm every Saturday the kids worked on a play.  It's really cool to see Ian's enthusiasm in learning his lines, the songs, the choreography and getting to the end result of performing in front of an audience.  Ian is thrilled he has a part that gives him 21 lines for the Spring production of Mulan, Jr.

Ian also continued with his Boys on the Trail running program through his school.  It met twice a week and is designed to get the kids to run a 5k.  He enjoyed it very much and I love that it gets him outside for fresh air and exercise.

Unfortunately his musical instrument of choice the saxophone has not brought Ian as much joy this year as it had last year.  Ian is pretty much counting down until the school year is over and he doesn't have to play it ever again.  It's a bit disappointing because its fun to listen to him practice, but it's been a long time since I've heard him play. 

Most days Ian sings to himself a wide variety of Broadway musical soundtracks.  He sings just loud enough that we all can hear it and the song gets stuck in our head.  I am certain that Ian doesn't even realize he is singing and it's done unconsciously.  Of course, Sam has major issues with this and yells all the time "STOP IAN!!  IT'S ANNOYING.  I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT ANYMORE".

Ian kept an open mind and looked beyond his fear of heights to tackle zip lining, a ropes obstacle course among the tree tops, and indoor sky diving.  I am so proud of him that he did not let fear get in his way of trying something new.  It paid off as he had a blast and would now do all of these activities again and again and again. 

Ian is more connected than ever to his relatives and can't get enough of them.  He really wanted to go down to Orlando and see everyone.  Ian decided he'd be ok to fly down on his own, as an unaccompanied minor.  It was a dream come true that he got all this one-on-one time with his grandparents, aunts, uncle and cousin.  We may just have to do this again next year.

I wish for Ian a year of much happiness and the ability for him to do his own thing, not because everyone around him is doing it.  May he make good choices and enjoy this time being 12.  Daddy and I love you so very much.

The return of braces!