Avery just celebrated his eleventh revolution around the sun. Time is such a funny thing. It seems like he was just a baby, but at the same time, eleven seems about right. I am so proud of the big boy/young man Avery is becoming. He is smart, kind, and sensitive. One of the things I admire most about him is how fiercely he loves his little brothers and sister. Sure, he enjoys teasing them like any big brother, but he holds Silas’ hand at school and plays Legos with him for hours. He takes care of Layla, reads her stories, and looks out for her. And he loves being outside with Kieron. It’s easy to forget there are three years between those two.

At eleven, Avery loves Legos, chess, the outdoors, and Nerf. He takes pride in the fact that he is one of the fastest boys at school (and a good defender) but he does not want to play team sports or run track (breaking his arm playing soccer didn’t help any). Avery thinks girls are pretty boring, he doesn’t understand why some of the kids at school just walk around and talk at recess, and he is disappointed the middle school does not have a play ground.

This year has easily been the most difficult of Avery’s young life. Moving at the age of ten is hard on a kid (just ask me and Jonathan, we both went through it and swore we wouldn’t do it to our own). But then we did, and it has been just as tough on Avery as I remember it. And making it even harder, we moved from a neighborhood where he could walk to school and most of his friends’ houses to a home where we have to drive ten minutes to get anywhere. Are there advantages, sure, but I just really have to hand it to Avery, he’s been through a lot this year.

And through it all, Avery is excelling in school and has gradually made friends. He also had a really special teacher (who happens to have a son who is in class and friends with Silas). It has been reassuring to have an adult at school who is in Avery’s corner.

I think this next year is going to be really special for Avery. He is SO ready for middle school — even if there isn’t a playground. I’m excited to see what the future holds for him!

Per his request, a Nerf party

Battle face!

We started out with a little target practice

Our neighbor, Shaw

Shaw’s dog, Obie. It’s perfect that our neighbor has a pug who frequents our yard (and parties). Just feels right.

BFF Hayden came for the weekend

Luke & Kieron

Landon captured the flag

Braden & Avery

The gang

The house decked out for the party. Love the pretty sky (mind you, it’s March)!

Jonathan going over rules with the boys

Team A

Team B

Sniper?

Game on!

Jacqui & Layla, watching the action

Time to eat