This was Edward's second year driving 20 hours to Wisconsin to play airsoft with my friend Andrea Landaker. She is so kind to organize the trip and drive Edward. He LOVES airsoft and he loves the trips with Andrea. He spends all his money on stuff for airsoft. They drove through Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. I told Edward to make sure he grabbed a photo in each of those states because we needed proof was actually in them to complete our 50 states adventure this summer!
My sweet, kind, day dreamer is 17. Edward is 17. How has it been 17 years? How has this much time gone by? Did I blink? I think for sure time sped up after 2020. I have been saying for the last few years that time seems to speed up and I heard recently that in our brains time does actually speed up for adults because we are no long experiencing new experiences. Our brain doesn't have to process our every day hum drum lives and therefore nothing really makes an impact on our brain. BUT for kids, everything is new so every experience feels like it lasts forever because your brain is trying to take in every single detail. Maybe this is why I crave traveling because it slows time down just a little bit.
Edward had to go to school on his birthday this year. He can mostly avoid attending school on his birthday because it occasionally lands on presidents day. He doesn't like breakfast, so I just packed his lunch and he headed out the door to school. I had to work because I had moved some of my students for the Havasupi hike. So when he arrived home from school I was working. Edward had going to McDonald's after school with some of his friends and I saw a balloon in the back of his car, so someone remembered his birthday at school.
Once I finished teaching, I grabbed Edward and we snapped a few photos to encapsulate his birthday. I measured Edward and he is 5'9"!!! He has grown an inch for the last three years. He had a huge growth spurt from 12 to 15 and then things slowed down a bit. After I took his photos we ordered sushi and ate ice cream. Stephen made brownies because I didn't think we could put candles in ice cream. Edward opened his gifts then went off to his room to play online games with his friends.
I love this boy of mine. He is incredible. He loves airsoft and his job. I think he really enjoys driving and owning a car. He has been so responsible. I love that he is good at his job and has maintained the job for the last 8 months. I know he really enjoys making money. Edward is into jujustu kaejan which is a Japanese manga. I bought him a few things that I hope he will use and love.
Edward is growing up and pushing away which is hard but normal. I miss my time with him. I know I will grieve his childhood next year. It is hard knowing it is over. Friday, Edward had his friends Titus Carnahan and Ben Elder over to hang out. I was able to snap one photo of the boys together. Then on Saturday, Edward took his new airsoft gun up to play airsoft with all of his friends. I love him. I love him. I love him.
This fall break, Edward drove with my friend Andrea up to Wisconsin to shoot air soft with friends. He LOVED it! The left Thursday to make the 24 hour drive. Edward has loved getting into these tournaments with his friends. He works hard to save up his money, from working at Flix's brew house, to buy new gear for each air soft trip. His friend Ben went with him on the trip and they shared a tent. I didn't hear much about exactly what they did, but Edward said he had a blast and can't wait to go again in March.
Oh my sweet Edward is 16 and a half today. My sweet, sweet baby boy who made me a mother is growing up and, wow, it is hard to take. He is so independent and loves his alone time. He still loves airsoft and wants to spend all this time and money on guns. He is kind, loving, and thoughtful. He works hard in school and loves to play computer games with his friends. I just adore this boy. He is amazing and I am proud of him. Time is a thief.
For his half birthday, we got sushi and he let me take his photo!
Yep! You read that right, it is already back to school season. Edward starts his junior year today. I think it is way too soon to start school, but it is not up to me. Edward it not super excited but I know he wants to be done soon. It is incredibly hard to believe how fast he has grown up over the last two years. He is responsible and such a good kid. I enjoy all my time with him.
