And he turns 8...

You say you can't stay 7 because you need to turn 8 to become smarter. I understand your viewpoint but I am not sure if I agree that need to get older. I still remember the excitement of going into the hospital with you 8 years ago today. You were 10 days overdue and I was huge. This is saying something when I was pregnant with quads two years later and still feel I was bigger with you than I was with 4. We didn't know if you were a boy or girl but I only had a boy's name. My heart was already falling in love with a little boy named Drew and you coming out a princesses wasn't even a thought. You came fast. You were ready to be part of this world when you knew you couldn't stay with mom forever. The moment you came into this world you were ready for it and being the baby with 2 big sister's was no problem for you.

Here we are 8 years later and not much has changed except we realized having 4 younger siblings wasn't a big deal for you either and just gave you the bragging rights that you were a "single." You have a zest for life and wake with a can do attitude each morning. This year of being 7 brought so many moments when I just smiled to myself and thought "my son is pretty darn awesome."

• When asked what you wanted to bring for your birthday treat during the last week of school your response was "something Grace can eat. Twelve donuts and a pack of gluten free, nut free cookies." When dad sent your response to me I had tears well up in my eyes. Which 7 year old thinks of his friend who has to be gluten free due to a medical condition and then also thinks of this friends twin sister who has a nut allergy. This is my Drew Bear. 
• While swimming with your brothers this spring you got hit in the face and you got cut right on your scar from your cleft. You panicked thinking your lip was going to split again. You cried as I held pressure to control the bleeding because you didn't want people to make fun of you at school. This was the first time you have ever complained about having a split lip when you were born. I had never seen you upset about it ever. After a bit you stopped crying and said "Mom scars tell a story." That was it and you were good again. You were okay that God made you the way you were because you had a story to tell.
• There is not a sport you don't love and you will try anything I  am willing to sign you up for. You are frustrated that I won't sign you up for hockey but thankfully you found a sport that speaks to you this year. BASEBALL! You lived for baseball this spring and if you weren't playing it with Tate or Aubrey you were out on the field being part of the Gold Rushers. At the end of the year your coach gave a speech about every player. Dad was elbowing me when the coach asked "Do any of you know who Charlie Hustle is?" He was elbowing me and whispering, "This is Drew." I had no idea who Charlie Hustle was so I was still questioning how dad knew. Your coach went on to say how Drew is the Charlie Hustle of their team. You never came to a game and complained that you didn't get to play a certain position and instead ran to any position with a smile on you face. You gave your all at every game. Who would have imagined that my kid that loved first base last year would fall in love with being catcher this year? Your coach continued and by this point I had tears coming down my face and they didn't stop because your coach then said you came onto the field this year one of the youngest and quietest but it didn't take long and you were the leader of the team. He finished by saying he would be honored to have you on his team again next year. Buddy, I know you kind of giggled and were a tad embarrassed with all that your coach said about you but your mommy was so proud of you. This attitude is not because of something mom & dad have done with raising you but instead is who you are. 
• This year we challenged Natalie and Aubrey to get on the Principal's List which is something one can achieve when one gets into 4th grade and earns all A's and a 3 in conduct. Achieving this earned them a date with mom and dad. We started this during 2nd semester and unfortunately at the end of the semester you ended up with a 2 in conduct. You were so upset the night that we took N&A to sushi and a movie and you had to stay home with the babies. You told me that night that next semester you were getting a 3 in conduct. Each week you brought home your weekly folder and each week it showed us that you didn't have to pull a card. You were not going to allow another date happen that you were not part of. On the last day of school you handed us your report card and told us you didn't pull a single card all semester. You got that 3 in conduct which being a first grade boy I have no idea how you did it. All I know is you can't wait to go white water rafting next month with Mom, Dad, Natalie and Aubrey. 

Drew you are 8. You can get smarter but pretty please do not change your personality, your love for life, your love for your family, your determination or the love to be tickled at night. You are one amazing little boy, and though I knew this 8 years ago today, I can say it with even more conviction today. 

Happy 8th Birthday Drew-Drew