Lexi - Happy 15th Birthday!

Dear Lexi,

Fifteen! How has a decade and a half of loving you flashed by in the blink of an eye? I can remember all your tiny newborn goodness so easily (and I do mean tiny! You were small, but mighty and that’s never really changed). I am so beyond proud of the person you are, the woman you are growing into, and the kid that I just absolutely love hanging out with.

I said this in your card (and it’s something that your Zaidie has said to me frequently over the years)… I love you, of course. You’re pretty easy to love, first of all, and you’re my kid, so duh. But I also actually really *like* you. I like your opinionated personality, your unique taste, your eclectic music mix, your foodie aspirations, your stubbornness, your cleverness, your perfectionism, your sense of humour, your tenderness for the cats (and all animals). I like hanging out with you and watching house shows or laughing over something the cats have done. I like sitting on your bed and listening to you talk about your day or driving you around like a chauffer (did I mention stubborn?) while I discover new, interesting songs you’ve added to your playlist.

I am so proud of how you’ve adjusted to high school this year, because I know transitions and new situations are not always easy for you (and your marks are fantastic), but mostly I’m just so thrilled to watch you continue to develop into your own awesome person.

Keep being you and keep shining bright – we always knew you were a star, and every day, every week, every year, you continue to prove us right.

Love,

Mum

Mercedes - Happy 17th Birthday!

Dear Mercedes,

Happy 17^th Birthday! On a cold Friday the 13^th much like today, you made your dramatic entrance into this world, and truthfully the (delightful) drama hasn’t stopped since! It makes me feel incredibly old to be the mother of a 17-year-old, but you also keep me perpetually young at heart. Nothing fills my cup more than driving in the car with you, windows down, singing along to loud music, cracking jokes, laughing together, sharing gossip. I know that everyone LOVES their kids. And I do, I love you so incredibly much. But I also actually really LIKE you. Hanging out, laughing, shopping, going to concerts, snuggling and watching tv or crying at sad movies while sharing chocolate… it’s really some of the best moments of my life.

They say that teenagers pull away a bit as they get older – soon enough you’ll be moving out, off to spread your wings at university as a young adult and figure out your place in this world. And I do feel it a bit – especially now that you have your ultimate freedom in the form of a driver’s licence. You don’t need me as much, you have an active social life, we don’t have as many opportunities to hang out… and I’m ok with it, because I know it’s the way it’s supposed to be, and I absolutely love seeing your independence flourish. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t make a little sad that I don’t get to see your beautiful face as often. So please, life your live, enjoy having probably the most perfect adolescence in history – but also, don’t forget your dear old mom. Don’t forget about our concert adventures and movie dates and Taylor Swift and our summer drives – even if you don’t *need* me to drive you around anymore, I still *need* you, kiddo.

I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for you – your last year of ‘kid’ and your launching pad to university and beyond. I just know it’s going to be awesome, just like you.

Love,

Mum

Holden - Happy 13th Birthday!

Dear Holden,

Today, you are officially a teenager (despite you feeling like one for a while now)! I can so vividly remember all of your earlier milestones – the day we found out about your impending arrival, the day you were born, the first time your big sisters saw you, your first day of school… and now here you are, growing into this amazing young man (who happens to be taller than me), graduating elementary school and choosing your classes for your first year of high school next year.

In some ways, you are much more independent than your sisters – just by nature of being the third kid. There are some people who say third kids tend to raise themselves, and I can see it – we’re definitely more lax about some of the rules, you have lots of freedom to roam the neighbourhood with your friends, etc. But then in some ways, of course, you’re still my baby (and always will be, no matter how deep your voice gets or how much facial hair you have). But in any case, it’s such a joy watching you grow. You’re polite (especially in your oddly formal text messages, which always crack me up), and respectful (including at school), and smart, and kind. You also love a good fart joke and laughing when we tease your sisters, and you can get VERY competitive at any sort of games. Most of all, I love seeing you interact with your friends. You have an awesome core group of kids who are all well-mannered and sweet, and treat each other with compassion, which I appreciate so much. 

I am so excited for the rest of this year ahead for you – Grade 8 trips and graduation and even more freedom as you prepare for high school next year. It’s hard to believe it’s happened so fast, but I know you are more than ready to face life and new responsibilities and freedoms head-on. And no matter what, we are here to walk with you through any challenges that you may face.

Happy birthday to the best Christmas present we’ve ever had. 

Love,

Mum

Happy End of School & Grade 8 Grad!

Another school year has come and gone, and it brings with it some pretty significant milestones. Holden, you’re now entering your last year of elementary school (and your TENTH and final year at Hewitt’s Creek). Mercedes, you are now officially halfway through high school (how on earth did that happen so quickly). And Lexi, you are now a shiny new graduate (with honours), and ready for high school in the Fall.

I couldn’t be prouder of all three of you. There’s been great report cards, lots of learning, exciting field trips, awards given, friends and parties and social lives… I love the good grades of course, but mostly I’m so thrilled at how well-rounded you all are. Kind, considerate, inquisitive, dedicated, but still able to have fun and enjoy all of the great things that your schools and this awesome neighbourhood and community have to offer.

Mercedes, I am so excited to watch you figuring out what you potentially want to do with the rest of your life (as of now, leaning towards Pediatric Occupational Therapy) and then doing the research and working backwards to ensure you can make it happen with the right prerequisites over the next two years. You’ve gotten your first real job (yay McDonald’s), joined a gym, and made some new friends, all while navigating your first serious relationship and keeping your grades up. It’s a joy to watch you move through some of the hardest years of your life with grace and humour (and of course, there’s the truly wonderful fact that you still love spending time with me, which I will cherish for as long as it lasts!).

Holden, every day you seem to grow an inch and look more grown-up. But beyond physical changes, I love seeing you change - although your friendships haven’t changed much! But I absolutely love that you and your gang of buds have endured through many years of friendship and nothing makes me happier than hearing you laugh hysterically while you’re playing games online with them. Except maybe watching you speed off (safely!) on your scooter to roam the neighbourhood with those exact same kids. You’re independent and adventurous with them (going as far as the beach to watch the airshow, swimming at friends’ houses, buying food wherever you go, etc.) and it makes me so happy that you still have this completely normal aspect of childhood/pre-teen life. Your report card was great, sure, but even more thrilling is reading the comments from your teacher on what a great kid and peer you are (and the fact that you are being recognized with a character award at the last assembly of the year this week!).

And last but certainly not least, my honour-roll graduate. Lexi we could not be prouder of how you conquered this year, with all of its importance and significant transitions. Grade 7 was so hard for you, and it broke our hearts as we tried to figure out how best to help you cope with your anxiety. But you persevered and worked so damn hard - and Grade 8 was a roaring success. You made it to ALL of the field trips (including a two night overnight trip in the frozen north, and a very crowded downtown Toronto field trip). You chose your courses for next year, you had sleepovers with friends, you had the best time at grad (in an actual dress and heels!) with your friends. Your report card was great, and the honour roll is an impressive achievement - but watching you embrace friendships and your social life and make these memories in this pivotal final year of elementary school… nothing compares to that feeling of pride. We are overwhelmed with love and admiration for the person you’re growing up to be, and I can’t wait to see the adventures that await you in high school next year and beyond.

Congratulations to all of you - and I hope this summer is one of even more magical memories.

Love,

Mama

Lexi - Happy 14th Birthday!

At 5:22 this morning, on 5/22, you turned 14! And I can’t help but reflect on how amazing this past year has been for you. Grade 7 was pretty rough (lots of anxiety and social/school avoidance), but you’ve worked SO hard to learn how to cope and overcome those challenges. We couldn’t be prouder – and your hard work was never more evident than this morning, when I dropped you and your brother off at school early for the annual Grade 7/8 field trip downtown (St. Lawrence Market, a Blue Jays game, and a trip to the Eaton Centre for the Grade 8s). Last year, you never made it on this trip – too worried about being far from home, nervous about the crowds downtown and at the game, scared of having a panic attack with no escape route. It was heartbreaking. And today, your only fear is that somehow you’ll end up on the Jumbotron in honour of your birthday (which would be a dream come true for your mother!).

I am in awe of how much you’ve grown and changed over this past year, how well you’ve handled all of the changes and stress that finishing elementary school brings, and how you’re very bravely getting ready to face graduation and starting high school. You have amazing friends who truly let you be yourself, and I love seeing you smiling and happy when you talk about them and school and your plans for the summer and your future.

And despite how you’ve gotten slightly more introverted and quieter as you’ve gotten older, you’ve never lost that truly unique Lexi spark. We always joked that you knew you were a middle child before we did, and all of those fantastic Middle Kid qualities are still shining bright – strong opinions (very, very strong), unique spirit, fierce independence. We are so incredibly proud of the young woman you are growing into and feel so lucky that we get to be by your side. I can’t wait to see what 14 holds for you!

Love you lots,

Mummy

Mercedes - Happy Sweet 16!

Dear Mercedes,

Sixteen is hard to fathom, but also not, because you’ve changed and matured so much over the past year. It’s been a big one - really settling into high school, figuring out what interests you most, joining the gym, amazing concerts (hello, Taylor Swift - best night of our lives!), first love, amazing friendships and experiences - I’m so thrilled to watch the rest of your life unfold in front of you. It won’t always be easy, there will be challenges that you’ll face - but I can tell by how much you’ve grown that you’ll face them head on with resilience and strength, because that’s just the kind of person you are. And no matter what, I will always be there to walk beside you.

It’s a special thing when your kids actually become your friends. I absolutely (sometimes) miss the early days of our life together - especially when it was just you and me on my first maternity leave. We did lots of snuggling and playdating and adventuring and watching endless reruns of Third Watch. In some ways, we grew up together since I was still in my 20s when you were born! And I loved seeing the wonder of the world through your eyes. But now… now is something special. I still get to watch with amazement as you become more independent and resourceful, and witness you figuring out your path in life - but I also get to hang out with someone that always makes me laugh. Whether we’re going for a drive and singing loudly in the car, or snuggling on the couch watching a sad movie and crying, or finishing each other’s song lyrics in the kitchen, or laughing at your father’s ridiculous jokes… there’s basically nothing that makes me happier than experiencing joy with you by my side. 

Thank you for being you. Thank you for making me a mom. Thank you for forgiving my mistakes. Thank you for always remembering that I’ve got your back. Thank you for being honest with me. Thank you for letting me into your life. And thank you, thank you, thank you for being the person that you are. I couldn’t be prouder.

Love,

Mum (aka Bruh)

Holden - Happy 12th Birthday!

Dear Holden,

Only one more year until I officially have three teenagers! Maybe it’s because you're the last, but sometimes it feels like you already are one - there’s a bit of moodiness, a lot of quiet, a lot of time spent in your room, a lot of time online with your friends. And then on the flipside, you’re always going to be the baby (not A baby, but MY baby), and it’s hard not to want to wrap you up and keep you that way forever. So while the moments that we spend together seem to be fewer and further between these days, I treasure every single one of them. Playing a board game, watching X-files or a disaster movie, making you food (this is one of those constant things these days), giving you a hug, answering your very formal, very polite text messages… even when quiet and reserved, you’re still a joy to be around.

And then, the moments that truly make my heart swell… when I hear you laughing uproariously in your room while you’re gaming with your friends. Your father and I can’t help but smile and giggle when we hear you so energetically, enthusiastically having a blast with your buddies. I wish we saw more of that laughter with us on a daily basis, but it makes me truly happy to know you’ve got a great group of friends around you who make you feel included and loved and joyful. 

You’re doing well in school and your teacher says you are well-rounded, on task, and a quiet leader and example for your peers, which is all that I can ask for. I tell you all frequently that I don’t care about straight As or the best marks - I just want to see that you make your best effort and that you approach life with kindness. And while maybe some more of that kindness could extend to your sisters, I’m thrilled that at the very least, your classmates, teachers, and friends get to benefit from the sweet young man you’re growing up to be. And when I say growing up, I mean it - it feels like every day when I hug you goodbye, you’re getting closer and closer to being taller than me. It won’t be long now, and while I sometimes mourn the days when I could tuck you under my chin, I am so excited to see what the next crazy few years hold for you - including official teenagerhood and high school, eek!

Keep being you my Holders - we love you to the moon and back and couldn’t be prouder to be your parents.

Love,

Mama