Kade is Twelve!

Kade is now officially twelve . . though I must confess he has seemed twelve for a long time.  Kade always seems a bit older than he actually is to me. I think this is because he is really quite close to Kevin and trails along in the things Kevin does  . . . quite soon after Kevin does. Though they are three school years apart, they don't seem that far apart in age.  This is fun for them.  

I guess my point is this; Usually I say "I can't believe _________ is __ years already!!! My how the time has flown" So, while the time does fly, twelve was not a shocker:)

We started Kade's birthday celebrations the night before his birthday. It was to be a surprise.  Kade informed us that he HATES surprises. He was begging for hints and clues right up to the moment he found out.  

Jonathan and I took him to the late viewing (on a school night . . gasp!) of The Jungle Book. We had seen previews a while back and immediately thought of Kade!  He loved it.  The movie . . the experience . . the mom and dad time.  It was good for him.

Then it was off to McDonalds . . .and very appropriately their new burger is named the 12.  It was Kade's meal of choice and it was yummy.  After that is was home . . .because it was drawing dangerously close to 12'o clock!  We didn't want to hit too many 12's in one evening!

Kade's actual birthday was another busy day which is why we celebrated a bit the night before. Kev had an exhibition soccer game after school, so we headed over there to watch and then had Kade's supper of choice - wings and salad.  It was yummy.

I don't think I have a picture of him using it yet, but one of his gifts was a pogo stick. Kade had asked for one a while back and I tracked one down. Then he really didn't talk about it for a while and I was a bit worried that it was a passing fad (as Jonathan warned me about).  But he is on that thing every day trying new tricks and hopping all over the steps and yard. It goes to school with him most days too and he has had a lot of fun with it. So that makes me happy:)

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Pictures from the last year and some tidbits about Kade:

Kade is a screen lover and a sneaky one too. He can swipe Jonathan's phone with very little fanfare and disappear very quietly. It is only when we notice that one or the other (Kade or the phone) is missing for a while that it is obvious what has gone on. He can also do the same with the computer. They have a very short time frame before the computer logs off . . but Kade seems to be able to sneak himself into the office and with no volume will watch parkour or pogo stick o (or other) youtube videos.  He also loves clash of clans and other unknown to me games that keep appearing on my computer.

Kade also loves the outdoors though. His imagination can be wonderful and it is not too strange (though it kind of looks like it) to see him having a sword fight with a tree.  This is his imagination at work and it gives me great joy to see.

Speaking of imagination . . . .

This is Kade being attacked and strangled by the vacuum hose. If only you could hear the accompanying sound effects. It made us laugh.

Kade enjoys reading - but only very specific kinds of books. He loves comic stories and adventure as well as a bit of adventure.  

He is extremely into the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies.  (no appeal for me whatsoever!)

Kade still needs glasses and doesn't wear him. We are in the process of finding some he loves . . so that he will actually wear them. I'm sure he is missing out on a lot right now . . .it's been two years since he got his first pair (that he very rarely wore).

Kade loves sports - hockey and soccer being his favorite. He continues to improve and get better in both and it is fun to see his practice pay off. He is a very different player than Kevin - different strengths and weaknesses -so it is interesting to see them come along.

Kade loves to play sports with Kevin, loves to drive Kylie (and the rest of us) crazy with his teasing, loves to wrestle with Karter and loves to squeeze Konnor.

Kade and Kylie are a bit like oil and water.  Every once in a blue moon they will play something nice together, but more often than not Kade is bugging and Kylie is screeching or crying.  We have asked Kade to really work on this area, and I do believe a bit of progress has been made!

Kade is the one who cannot resist stopping and squeezing Konnor or picking him up for a quick hug and saying, "You are just so cute!"  He doesn't spend hours with him, but he has lots of quick little "I love you brother" moments.

Kade loves his friends and cousins and has pretty special relationships with them.  

Kade has a very unique (sometimes) and particular sense of what is style and what is comfortable.  He has his definite favorites - his track pants and sleeveless shirts or running shirts. He will be downright sneaky sometimes. I usually lay out his clothes so that he doesn't wear phys.ed clothes every single day. But sometimes he can't resist and will wear his track pants and very sneakily sit at the island for breakfast and then be quickly out the door before I notice.  He also has his definite favorites for church and dressier occasions.  Sometimes I just shake my head,but there is no changing his mind.

Kade also has distinct ideas about his hair.  Sometimes I love it and sometimes I just say, "Some day you will regret this!!!!"

Kade has definitely gotten tall lately - I see how much growing up he has done when I look at some of these pictures - some of which are only 1/2 a year old!

Kade loves music and would like to learn how to play the drums.  For now he is stuck with the piano and he plods along with great anguish.

Kade is still a very absent minded boy. It is ridiculous to watch him try to carry out an instruction sometimes. He will hear you . . . walk away . . then come back after 30 seconds and say "What did you ask me to do?" It's like he knew he had to do something, but has absolutely not clue what it was. He does well with written lists and single instructions. Sometimes it is so pathetic I can't help but laugh.

Kade is sloppy. He has very little neatness in him and his idea of cleaning up is often shoving things in the closet and shutting the door. If he needs a sweater third down on the pile, you can bet the top two will be lying on the floor in a heap - and there is a good chance he actually didn't notice them fall.  We plug away and correct - but it could be a long process!

Kade has a great sense of humour and can make us laugh without even trying too hard sometimes. Sometimes it is quick wit, sometimes sarcasm, sometimes it's his crazy antics.

Kade is a very loving boy and will often stop for a quick hug.

Kade loves adventure and can't wait to get married so he can go skydiving - I'm not sure why he thinks he has to be married except that the video he is inspired by looks like it is in some far away location - so maybe he thinks he has to wait for his honeymoon to go far. He is inspired by videos like this one.  It makes me a little queasy just watching!!  

Kade is surviving school. He has had some tough moments this year, but I think is persevering and trying harder to be a good example and a better leader. As he gets older and in the higher grades, this is more and more crucial and it is something we are really praying will click with Kade and that he will see the importance of being a positive role model in all areas.

Kade, you are growing up fast now. You are getting to the years where it is becoming more and more important to know what you stand for and to be willing to take a stand for those things.  We pray you will be willing to be a leader and do the right things - not just when it's easy, but in those really hard and awkward situations too.  These are the practice years really and we hope you will embrace the challenge and set the stage for the years ahead. We love your determination in some areas and pray that it will apply to those areas you may not enjoy as much too.  Life takes work sometimes and in work there is great fulfillment and joy!  Work hard in all you do.  Kade you are super important to us and we love you like crazy. Sometimes we think you are kind of lost in the busyness of life and the needs and requirements of the other kids.  You are an easy kid  . . but that doesn't mean you are forgotten. Hopefully you don't feel that way ever.  Keep giving hugs and sitting on laps.  Keep making us laugh. Most importantly, keep reading your Bible and pray always - anywhere, anytime!  Always take the time for this - each and every night.  Remember the persecuted Christians and remember how incredibly blessed we are here!!!  Keep growing in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and men! And sing with joy!!!  These are some of our prayers for you.  We love you big time. Never forget it.