14 here we come!

Ian had an amazing year being 13.  He truly rocked 8th grade and had none of the issues he experienced last year when starting his new school.  Ian has a wonderful group of friends and found his groove with the theatre kids.  It is so exciting as a parent to see when your child finds something they are passionate about.  Ian has expressed interest in doing local community theatre and continue with performing in theatre in high school.  He had an amazingly perfect role for him this past year, playing Lonny in "Rock of Ages" and it really sparked the fire for seeing how far he can take this.  Ian has also started voice lessons to improve his singing.

Ian discovered binge-watching and took it to a crazy level.  He managed to watch every show of every season of "Friends", "Cheers", and "Seinfeld".  We're talking like 250 episodes for each of these shows.

Independence was front and center this year.  Ian regularly hung out with his friends and would walk across the street for lunch or walk from his school to the local shopping center.  He made all his own plans and even went to a Nationals game with a friend and no parental units.   And he started dating!  Oh my!  Ian asked out one girl at the beginning of the school year to go to the homecoming football game.  And he asked out another girl a few times towards the latter part of the school year.

Ian continues to be considerate, caring, sensitive, and funny.  So, so funny.  He has a great sense of humor.  Most times we look at each other and break out laughing over something silly that both of us have noticed and no one else has.  This is the same way with my mom and its simply wonderful.

Ian has become obsessed with all things having to do with cruise ships.  He keeps planning a trip for us to take (that will not happen) on various cruise ships and where it will go.  He knows inside and out every ship on Royal Carribean's line, how big it is, what amenities/activities are offered and when it was most recently renovated.  He has his eyes on future renovations with other cruise ships and follows all the new developments.  He is a walking cruise ship encyclopedia. We finally had to tell him to stop talking about them.  It was getting to be obnoxious.  Think a kid with Asperger's who goes on and on and doesn't stop.  Yep, that was Ian for months on end.

Ian has decided he wants to get contact lenses.  And he plans to go to the 8th-grade dance.  Ian has lots of ideas and it's fun to see how his mind works.  I love seeing the person he is growing into.  Oh and this is the year that Ian started to shave.  We've had a few laughs over this development.

Happy 14th birthday to my sweet son.  I hope this year continues to give you opportunities to shine on the stage and let you be the amazing performer we know you are.  You keep doing you and all will be just fine.  We love you so, so much.

Ian as Lonny in Rock of Ages

First day of 8th grade!

Ian as Mr. Marshall in Cinderella 101