The teenage years have arrived. We officially have a teenager in our house–and you are so excited to be 13! You keep joking with Drexler that he will get to smell the "teenage victory" now. This refers to your armpits. Drexler made up "smelling the victory" a while ago, which means he wants people to smell his armpits after he wins a competition (or does anything physical).
Some of your presents you received this year were a bunch of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, Super Mario Kart for the Nintendo 64 (Dad's old system), coding books, a Pi journal and Pi clock, Ticket to Ride Sails and Rails, and Mario Brothers underwear.
We are still cautious about going out due to the pandemic, so your party was an indoor affair at home. But the Morlans came over to visit, who were all you really wanted to celebrate with anyway. You asked for a Minecraft-themed party, and Anica made a creeper out of boxes that everyone could take their pictures next to.
The day before your birthday one of our good family friends, Jan Bly, called me and was asking about you. I hadn't spoken to her in a while, but she was reminding me of how special you were to their family and what an impact you have had on their life from the moment you were born. It reminded me of your first few days and months in this world and how truly remarkable it is that we get to celebrate your 13th birthday with you!
You are still recovering from 5 muscle lengthening surgeries last November (the day before Thanksgiving). You were unable to bear weight for 2 weeks (carrying you to the bathroom was a chore!). Then Dad took you to Chicago for a 2-week inpatient rehab stay. But because of COVID restrictions, he WASN'T ABLE TO LEAVE THE ROOM! It was difficult for him, but you guys did it–lots of bonding over ESPN I think. You've made an extraordinary recovery since then–all of your doctors are amazed at your progress and we are hopeful that you won't need another surgery like this ever again. You work hard in therapy and don't complain. Your progress is a testament to your incredible work ethic.
You've been playing in basketball open gyms with the other kids once a week and really enjoy the competition and exercise. You still plan on participating in cross country again in late summer.
You remained in virtual school until last week. You were very excited about going back to face-to-face learning, and I'm happy that you've been healthy enough and strong enough to make that transition. You are using a new backpack on wheels that seems easier than carrying something on your back. You've been doing great in school (both at home and in-person). You have straight A's this year, and you FaceTime with Poppi before your math tests so he can help you review.
In your free time, you enjoy creating your own maps online, making movies, and making video games using Scratch. You also like drawing comics and playing the piano. You are learning the Super Mario Brothers Theme Song right now in Piano Lab along with the Imperial March from Star Wars.
You want to make video games for a living when you grow up, but I'm also trying to get you to learn html or javascript so you can do some freelancing and earn money as a teenager. No matter what you do, I know you will do it well because you work hard, treat people with respect, and do what is right and good. I'm proud of the young man you are becoming, even if I have to smell the teenage victory every once in a while.
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