Eleven Years of Our Little Man

Dear Little Man

I say this every year but how are you eleven already? It feels like each year goes by quicker than the last and each year is always a joy, watching you grow, learn new things and become even more you.

You are in Year 6 at school, starting your SATs on Monday and counting down to the end of the school year, and the end of your time at Primary School. It really is the end of an era and you are embracing every single step of the journey.

Your SATs prep has been a breeze. You are naturally academic and clever. You love to learn, soak up information and pride yourself on always doing your best. You keep coming out of school with practice papers that you have done so well in and we could not be more proud of you. With everything we have always told you that you just need to do your best and we always know that you will do exactly that.

At school you are in the news team again this year, helping the school to make videos, news reports, interviews and so much more. You get to use your computer skills, gain confidence and learn new things. You really enjoy it.

Secondary school will be here soon and I know you are apprehensive about it. It’s a lot bigger than what you’re used to. There are new rooms and lessons to get to grips with, a whole new campus and a new routine. But, I know you will be just fine.

But you are anxious by nature. You like the things you know. You thrive on routine and you are happiest around people who know you and understand your quirks. But, you love Primary School, and the people there get you. I know you’ll find the same thing at Secondary School. People who get you and new friends who will be your people. You have nothing to be worried about, and I will keep reinforcing that to you as much as I can.

One thing that I will miss when you start secondary school is walking you to school. The walk to and from school is when you are most talkative, telling me about new game releases, what you’ll be doing at school, plans for after school or the weekend and asking me questions about life, the universe and everything. I love that time with you.

As much as you love learning, books have taken a back seat this year because you have discovered Fortnite and the world of VR. We still encourage you to read and you still get your Phoenix Magazine subscription which you love.

You play Fortnite most days and love telling us about the games, the characters, the skins, the weapons. I don’t understand much of it but I love how much joy it brings you.

For me, I love that Fortnite and your VR games help you to socialise. We hear you speaking to your friends with so much confidence and assertiveness and it is lovely to hear. Plus, you work as a team and have so much fun, all from the comfort of your own homes.

One of the biggest things that has happened over the last year is saying goodbye to Leia. You loved the cat more than anything and I know how much you miss her. She’s been gone 10 months but it feels like a much shorter time. She was a huge part of our lives.

Since your last birthday we have had holidays to Hayling Island, St Lucia, Wales and Potters Resort in Norfolk. You love exploring the world – and country – with us and I love seeing you embrace new activities and experiences.

St Lucia was a big holiday for you because you made friends with so many cats and kittens whilst we were there. We’d only said goodbye to Leia a few weeks before and so I know the kittens brought mixed emotions with them. But I knew from that holiday that we would need to get more cats at some point.

A lot sooner than expected, Fred and George came into our lives in October, just three months after losing Leia. They have brought so much joy to all of us and they have made you so happy. I love seeing how much you love them, and you take your responsibility of giving them breakfast very seriously. Those cats are your babies and you love them incredibly.

You have lost more teeth this year, had your glasses prescription change at least once and have kept growing – you’re now in age eleven clothes and have size 6 feet.

Your favourite foods are still chicken nuggets, pizza and pasta – plus you still love a Burger King Whopper but request McDonalds chicken nuggets at every opportunity.

One thing you have discovered this year though is mint chocolate. It’s now your most favourite treat – and you love mint milkshakes, ice cream and anything else that has a mint chocolate option.

You’ve also discovered Prime drinks and have a collection of empty bottles in your room. You get so excited when I come home with a new flavour you haven’t tried yet – and it always feels like the best £2 I have ever spent!

You still love Lego and many creative things – Meccano, Nintendo Labo… I can imagine you being an engineer or architect when you’re older as you just love to be creative and build things.

One of my favourite times of the day is still our morning bed cuddles, and I’m hoping we’ll carry on for a while yet. You are a really affectionate boy and we have cuddles often. You still hold my hand to cross roads on the school run and have a cuddle when you’re feeling sad or poorly. I love how close we are.

Little Man, you are so clever, so funny and a joy to be around. You are your own person, doing things your way and thinking in a way that only you think. You are different and we love that about you. We love you just the way you are and your people will always love you just the way you are too. Please never change.

Eleven years ago you completed our family and since then we have spent eleven years watching you grow, learn and become this awesome little dude. We really could not love you more.

Have the happiest of birthdays Little Man.

We love you.

Mummy and Daddy x