Twelve years old...
On the edge of the teenage years.
Sixth grade...
On the edge of middle school.
I know how tough middle school can be. Kids are trying to find their place in this world and are scrutinized by their peers and girls start to not have cooties and there is oh, so much drama. Somehow, Owen is managing to cruise on through all of that. When his nose isn't stuck in a book, which occupies a large amount of his time (he's read the complete
Harry Potter series twice since June), he has found some extra-curricular activities to enjoy.
Junior Golf
Summer Swim Team
And, of course, fishing.
And while he's found those "big kid" activities to keep him busy, he still finds time to do those things that some might refer to as " little kid" things.
Water fights at the lake...
Playing in the pool, all day long...
Swinging...
Dressing up for Halloween...
Playing in the snow...
I'm not sure I'd refer to Owen as a shy kid, but he does keep to himself, mostly. If he has an opinion, he will definitely voice it, and if you invade his personal space, he'll tackle you. (Just ask Grey.) Owen can be deep in the throes of Minecraft, yet if I ask him to get wood for the fire, or run upstairs for something, or flip the pancakes I poured on the griddle but forgot to flip, he's off and running in a flash. Though he's teetering on the edges of little kid world and big kid world, he has kept his love of family. Owen would rather spend time with his cousins and siblings than anyone else.
As the oldest child, Owen has a lot of weight on his shoulders. I think he's starting to realize that the younger kids look to him on how to act. He is kind and funny and caring, and Nash, in particular, is very fond of him.
One of my favorite things about Owen is his sense of humor. It's dry and understated and sometimes even sneaky. He says some hilarious things that you can tell he's put a lot of thought into, but they just flow out effortlessly.
While I cannot imagine my little boy being a teenager, it's coming. I get one year of Owen being twelve and then he'll be on his way. There will be girls and cars and curfews and college applications. Right now, though, I'm holding onto my thoughtful, quiet, kind, funny boy. Growing up, I was always envious of my friends who had big brothers. They had a built-in protector, someone who would always be in their corner, and someone to show them the way. I feel very blessed that my kids get to grow up with Owen watching over them.
I am excited for Owen's future-to see what he will become and how he will guide his siblings. His enjoyment of the outdoors is rare in kids these days, but that's where he most enjoys being. He loves exploring, and visiting new places, and learning new things, and getting dirty, and think those qualities are going to shape him into a wonderful young man.
Happy birthday, O. Mama loves you.
