to my favorite 8 year old

Dear Zack,

All of the sudden, my zaney, wild child has become Mr. Responsible!  I can't believe you're already 8!  You still have lots of energy and excitement for all that you do but you want to be big like your brothers and you have proven to be such an amazing helper to me, especially during this pregnancy.  You are the one to accompany me at all doctor appointments, my official ice water getter and the ultimate foot massager and back scratcher!  I don't know what I would do without my energizer bunny!

I really don't know what transformed your desire to clean, but there is no one better in the house at laundry.  It's become YOUR thing and I love it!  One of the first things you do when you wake up (besides skip around the house and wake everyone up :) is to start a load of laundry.  You are constantly asking me if there is anything I need washed and our sheets and towels have never been more fresh!  You are amazing at folding and putting away the clothes too and I SO appreciate it, you have no idea.  You are also great at unloading the dishwasher and keeping the sink clear of dishes and making your bed!

You are not great about keeping your stashes of cards, art projects and trinkets in their place though!  I feel bad I am always threatening you I will throw your "crap" away because it means so much to you... You are a lover of things and have collections all over the house.  They never have their own spot because you have too many collections.  You have decided to pass a few things down to your younger siblings and that means a lot-- more to you than it does them.  No one appreciates your things as much as you do.  When you get a small tear in your pants or shirt, you bring me the sewing kit right away, wanting it stitched up.  Even if I convince you it's too worn, you still want it being "donated" in the best possible condition and I love that you are so much about your things.  You definitely get that from Daddy and will probably be cleaning your shoes with a toothbrush very soon!  The other day, your new cub scout book got ripped a little on the cover and you had an absolute breakdown.  I wasn't there to see it, but Dad told me that you sobbed and sobbed until he finally convinced you that it could be taped.  You are so sweet and emotional about your things!!

You have taken the role of big brother quite seriously and you can get Simon to do anything by calling him "your buddy".  He will help you fold laundry, make toast and clean just about anything if it's a team effort.  You are great at complimenting him while you work together and Simon eats it up!  You also coach Roma on how to do things properly and when you shower her with compliments, it's in the highest pitched voice I've ever heard!.. some in decibels that are too high for our ears to handle.

You've been getting sick a lot lately, and it worries me.  You don't like to eat a lot of anything, especially dinner.  You prefer all things veggies, but sometimes that doesn't fill you up.  You are a pasta and carb lover as well and know how to make the best Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese.  Often I let you make meals for yourself because you don't have taste buds like the rest of our family.  I'm starting to wonder if you have some kind of allergy, but still can't figure it out.  Until we do, I hope you know how hard it is to see your stomach upset so often.  You go to bed early without dinner because you just aren't feeling right and you will throw up during the day if you haven't had the right nutrients.  We have still been unable to get a single fat ounce on your bones, but hopefully we will find a solution soon!  I hate to see you sick, but love that you are aware of how you feel (and never throw up in the wrong places!!)

You are beyond excited about your baptism.  We asked you to wait a little while so we could bless our new baby on the same day you are baptized.  At first, you didn't want to wait, but I also know how much you care about having cousins there to be with you on your special day.  You want to move to Utah so bad so you can see them all day, everyday.  You love having friends around and participating in social events and for some reason, there aren't any kids your age here in Vegas.  You have one BFF and that's it.  You often hang out with Ben and Luke and their friends, but it's just not the same.  I am the same as you socially and want you to have more friends!  You are sweet to the core and would give the shirt off your back if anyone needed it.  A friend like Zack is hard to come by!

Thank you for brightening our home and making everyone around you happy!  You are such a delight and an absolute joy to parent.  I am so grateful for all the things you do for me and our family and couldn't imagine our lives without you, bud!  I am looking forward to watching you develop a relationship with your baby sister.  You are SO excited for her to be born, you can hardly stand it!  She is so lucky to be coming into a home with big brothers like you who want to love and protect her.  We are all so lucky to have each other.

Love you, Wacky Zacky!  Thanks for keeping me entertained for the past 8 years!!  I am so grateful to have YOU for my son.

Love,

Mom