Ten reasons why I love this 10 year old.

 Today is this kid's birthday and we celebrate all things 10.

How appropriate that his fav soccer player is also number 10.

So we treated this 10 year old to jersey #10 and even though he had to wake up at 6:00 am on a school day on his birthday because his sister had volleyball practice before school, he had a great attitude and enjoyed the anniversary of a decade old. So cheers to you, Noey and here are:

 10 reasons why I love you to the moon and back

10. You were quick to come meet us on your birthday 10 years ago. Really, if we hadn't left your sister sleeping home alone before racing to the hospital, you would have been born in mom's car.

9. You humbled me as a parent. Let's be honest - your older sister is what we call 'an easy baby'...She was usually content and would sleep through the night easily. I thought it was because I was such a superior job at parenting but God decided that I need to learn that they don't all come programmed to sleep 12 hours and God gave me you. I learned that I did not have superior parenting powers to make babies sleep and that I could live on fragmented 2 hours of sleep for 2 years. I am also grateful that after you turned 2, you decided that sleep wasn't so bad after all. 

8. You do everything 110%. Ever since you were little, you have been all out with all your emotions. You are never just happy, you are exuberantly joyous. You are all in and feel everything so much. When you laugh, all of us can't help but share in your joy. And you are upset, you are never just sad, you are devastated beyond despair. That's OK, I love that your heart just feels everything.

7. You are such a self-directed, motivated learner. Once you find something you like, there's no stopping you. When you were into NHL hockey, you could name every obscure player there was on every team. It was hilarious whenever I park in a numbered stall, you would tell me which NHL player had that number. Now it's all about stop-motion. You are teaching yourself how to make Lego stop motion videos and you're learning new skills all on your own. I love that, keep chasing those things that bring you joy.

6. You have an amazing sense of humor. Maybe this comes from Dad but you have the best dad-jokes and witty puns. Remember the time I dropped the meat at Costco and you said, "It's OK mom, it's ground beef...get it? It's on the ground!" No one makes us laugh more than you do with your ridiculous accents and impressions. Keep laughing in life and don't take anything too seriously. Life is too short to not laugh every day. 

5. You are a great friend. You have been so blessed to have some wonderful people in your life. I can tell you treasure those friendships and you would put them first and do anything to help them. Remember to keep investing in those friendships, you will need to lean on them as you get older. 

4. You can do hard things. I know we push you harder than most parents to do fun and adventurous things. You learned to ski when you were 2, you did the Grouse Grind when you were 3. You backpacked Garibaldi when you were 6. You ran the 10 km Sun Run, backpacked Panorama Ridge and biked the Tour de Victoria (30 km) when you were 8. When we tell you that it's going to be hard, you embrace the challenge and I love that. You seek out adventure just like your mama and I hope we can do many more hard and adventurous things together.

3. Your love language is snuggles. I realize now that you didn't sleep when you were a baby because I tried to put you in your crib when you wanted to just be held. Like ALL THE TIME. When I discovered the baby carrier, you were a content kangaroo baby and I were glued on me as I cooked, cleaned and did everything. Even now, I love that you still ask for snuggles. I love that when I am out, you will text me "I need a snug" with a cute gif of a piglet. Know that you will never, ever, ever be too old for hugs from your mama. 

2. You and your sister are so good together. I remember when the doctor first told us that you were a boy and I was worried that you and your older sister wouldn't like each other or play together but you two are like peas in a pod. No one makes your sister laugh like you do. I hope that doesn't change over the next decade,  I know you are both growing up and you like different things but know that you always have family. I pray you and your sister will continue to be just as close as you are now.

1.You are exactly YOU. There's no other words to describe it. You are just the BEST. Really. You really are. I love you just the way you are and I am so proud to be your mama. Happy birthday my son. I love you to the moon and back.