Yes, there are 13 candles on Brendan's birthday cake today! We celebrated his birthday by having family over yesterday. Today we went up to Dave & Busters for dinner and games. It was a fun time!
Brendan is excited to finally be a teenager. It seems to me that he has grown up so much faster than Matthew. Probably because he's been hanging out with Matthew and they generally seem the same age. Last weekend Kamryn wanted to watch the video from our time in China. It's emotional for me on so many levels, but what hit me the hardest this time was how young the boys seemed!!! They looked like little boys with little cute voices. They are still cute but they are not boys anymore but young men. I'm so glad I have them on videotape as young boys. I captured their little voices at least. Brendan's voice has deepened and changed already. And almost overnight it seems.
I made him the cutest card for today . . . it said, "Here's something to do on your 13th Birthday. Write yourself a letter about what you expect to be doing 10 years from now and then put it somewhere where it won't be disturbed for the next decade." open the card. "like, say, under the pile of clothes on your bedroom floor!" So appropriately funny!!! I don't know if he thought so but he did laugh because he knows it's true.
When I am reprimanding him or asking him to do something, I often say I am doing it because I love him. Sometimes he responds back to me by saying that I care too much. Any parent knows that that is just not possible. I'm glad he knows I care. Someday he will understand.
Brendan is the most caring kid I know and always thinks of others. He has a heart of gold. He is always thinking of others with genuine concern. He continues to say he wants to be in the Army someday . . . I don't know if I like that but it really doesn't surprise me.
Brendan is doing great in school! He continues to get straight A's and we are really proud of him. I hope Brendan enjoys his teen years, and I hope I survive with 2 teenage boys in the house!
