Jake at Eight

Lovable, easy-going, smart, insightful, sweet, loyal, competitive, and naturally athletic - our favorite Jake turns eight today. It's hard to imagine our family ever existed without him. 

Jake is a bright light in our lives -- with his good-natured personality and ability to relate to people of all ages, he brings us together. Jake can go from playing video games and tossing a football with Ryan and cousins, to snuggling his lovies while watching Lucie's teen melodramas, all with the same level of excitement and interest. He's a great companion.

This past year has been a bit of a challenge for Jake. A recent move meant he had to go to a new school where he did not know a single kid or teacher. Though only a mile away from his former school, his new school was a completely foreign land to us all. 

Five months later, Jake's doing great. He's made new friends and enjoyed classmates' birthday parties. He was even chosen as a leader in his class with the role of George Washington in the 2nd grade patriotic performance. His teacher told me, "I didn't think twice about choosing him - I knew Jake was the only kid for the job!"

We know he'd still prefer to be at his former school (as would we) but he's made the best of it and never once complained. Now that he's befriended the PE teacher, things are looking up and he has declared PE time as "so much better!" than at his former school. That's high praise from a devoted PE lover like Jake. 

Other exciting adventures in this past year have included canyoneering in Zion, flying to San Francisco with Lucie and Ryan (no parents) to spend the weekend with family and being selected to play goalie on an All Stars soccer team. He was particularly proud of the All Stars selection, especially when our weekends revolved solely around his tournaments instead of Lucie and Ryan's myriad of activities. 

With two 13-year old siblings, Jake is certainly exposed to a lot above his age level. Case in point, he's the only eight year old I know who confidently refers to Instagram as "Insta". Despite his desire to sometimes act like another teenager in our house, I'm so grateful that he's still a little boy in his core. 

He adores his stuffed animals and is constantly lobbying to add to his collection. He likes to be read to at night, with the Berenstain Bears being a current favorite. And, much to the happiness of all in our house this Christmas, his belief in Santa and his reindeers remains strong. 

Most days, he'll even hold my hand on the way home from school. Knowing this won't last forever brings sadness, but mostly I feel deep gratitude for every moment of little boy-ness we still have. 

We love you sweet Jake, and can't wait for what the next year will bring you. Here's to many more adventures, athletic challenges, and pesto gnocchi in the coming year!