Eight

I probably say something similar every year... but I can't believe that I have an eight year-old!  Eight just seems soo old!  And I definitely see him growing!  Physically he is tall, more coordinated and he wanted to let his hair grow long this year.  He weighs about 60 pounds and is about 4 ft 4 inches tall, which is 2 1/2 inches taller than last year. Once summer hit he wanted to cut his hair short so it didn't get in his eyes when swimming. This year he has mastered riding his big bike and rides up and down the sidewalk outside our house.   He likes to ride his bike or scooter to school and got a bike lock so he could leave it on the bike rack during school. 
His interests are changing as well.  He is less into toys and more into electronics...  He likes to play Skylanders on the Wii, Minecraft on the Kindle Fire and watch Minecraft videos on YouTube.  Even Legos are not as interesting as before, although he does still play with them.  He still gets his brother and sister involved in imaginary play, although it is less and less often. 
 He is reading very well, about a 4th grade level according to his testing at school.  He loves it too, which I love.  We are on the 5th Harry Potter book and he recently told me he didn't like it as much s the first ones because it seems "meaner."  And it is much darker, so I get it.  We have slowed way down on reading it because he is not as invested.  He has started the Guardians od GaHoole series and he got the Percy Jackson series for his birthday.   He got all 4s (As) on his final report card.  He doesn't have to work too hard at math but definitely needs to practice his spelling words.
He has been spending lots more time with friends this year.  He has been invited over to play at friends houses a lot and they do fun things like swimming, archery, bike riding and, of course, playing Skylanders.  He had his first real argument with a friend that lasted for several days.
If he had his way he would probably spend his summer days either swimming or playing Minecraft.  His swimming is coming along brilliantly.  He has the basics of a forward crawl, beginning to get the breast stroke and back stroke.  He can do a great back float, handstands under water and a somersault.  He likes to go in the deep, deep end at the pool to challenge himself. 

swimming at The J

He was not very excited to do his interview this year.  He could barely pry himself away from the Kindle long enough to speak to me...

Spring Break in Austin

Bubba, at what age do you think a person is a grown-up? 
28

If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do? 
Invincible?  Oh, invisible.  Sneak up on Dutch and scare her

What is something that makes our family special? 
 I don't know, do I have to do this? 

Are you a good friend? and why?
 Yes, because I am nice and funny

How would the world be different if animals could talk?
I would get a per hamster and talk to him every day

What is the best thing about being a kid?
I don't have to work all day and I don't have to go to school in the summer

What is the worst thing? 
I have to get everything foe everyone, like Dr. Pepper for Dad every night

What is your favorite place in the world? 
Gulf Shores

If you could give one gift to every kid in the world, what would it be? 
Skylanders

Tell me 5 words that you would use to describe yourself. 
funny, awesome, cool, nice and awesome

If you could invent something, what would it be?
I would invent the Mansion Machine, once you start it, it turns your house into a mansion as big as 5 backyards.

What is your favorite:
color: green
food: pizza
song: Digging Minecraft Style
book: Harry Potter
activity: riding my bike
toy: Skylanders
subject at school: recess
friend: Dylan
animal: cheetah
TV show: Phineas and Ferb
movie: Harry Potter

What does Dad like to do? 
sleep

What does Mom like to do?  
 play Candy Crush

What makes you special? 
That I am awesome. (Be more specific, please) I am the only boy in my ballet class.  That I am an awesome reader.

What is one thing you would most like to do? 
Hike Mt Everest

What would you like to write a book about? 
 Minecraft

Describe what you look like. 
brown eyes, brown hair, tall, awesome reader

What are you looking forward to this summer? 
 going to Alabama Beach

What did you accomplished as a 7 year-old? 
riding my big bike, reading 4 1/2 Harry Potter books, getting straight A's on my report card, being in my first ballet recital,


And a random sampling of pictures I like...

Ballet

Harry Potter for Halloween

Gulf Shores 2012



Thanksgiving 2012 in Evansville