Colin,
You are twelve years old! This year brought a new adventure- middle school. Oh boy. I’ll admit I was really nervous for this transition. But you’ve handled it like a champ. You’ve conquered having a locker, memorizing your lock combination (not that I doubted you—you’re a whiz with numbers!), changing classes, riding a bus with high schoolers, and making new friends.
In middle school you’re playing the saxophone in band, playing flag football after school, and you had a blast at Outdoor Lab. Your first week at sleep-away camp this summer definitely helped prepare you for that. You walked confidently onto the bus for your week at Outdoor Lab with your classmates.
You’re still Mario-obsessed, but have caught onto the Pokemon Go crazy now too. Dad and I decided that for your 12th birthday you could have a 1:1 trip anywhere you wanted within the country. You chose Super Nintendo World. Your heart was absolutely on fire the entire time we were in the park, hanging out with your friends from the screen come to life. When we left you said ‘I don’t want to go. My people are here.’ It was a special trip.
I kind of expected you’d be ‘over’ stuffies now that you’re in sixth grade, but you love to torment your Dad by acquiring new stuffed animals for your room. The collection is bursting at the seams. With Koopa and Yoshi still holding the spots closest to your heart.
We have a strong streak of reading aloud before bed and this year we’ve devoured several books in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and more of Amari and the Night Brothers. Even though you’re fully capable of handling these books on your own, I love that you ask me to read aloud every night while you brush your teeth and get ready for bed.
I’m so lucky I get to be your Mom, Colin.
Love, Mom
See more letters to Colin: the first year I two years I three years I four years I five years I six years I seven years I eight years I nine years I ten years I eleven years
