Kade is Thirteen - Another Teen in the House!

Kade's birthday fell on a day when there was too much going on.  In some ways, the day got kind of skipped over and we feel a little badly about that.  But we took a few moments to celebrate between events and he still got to have fun - we just weren't there to share it with him and that is kind of sad.

Kade is pretty easy to please though and he didn't hold it against us - especially not since we let him have his gifts on his birthday - which we didn't really plan to do. We thought we'd take the time the next day to celebrate well. He liked the way it went better.  Jonathan thought this would be a good year for Kade to receive a gun, so that was the big deal.  Kade shows an interest in this and seeing that is is good to hone in on the different interests of your children, Jonathan obliged. I am not always loving it, but I do see the wisdom.  This is something Jonathan and Kade can do together - the two of them - and that is important!

Looking at some of these pictures from the last year of Kade's life, it is clear that it has been a year of growing up and a lot of other changes too!  Not that he is so big now, but he sure looks a lot littler a year ago!

Kade is our daring boy. He doesn't always think super far ahead and therefore is able to throw caution to the wind a little quicker than some of the other kids. I wouldn't say this makes him dangerous - just daring. If a situation requires a bit of guts, but is still safe, Kade will have no problem diving in.

Kade is our cozy boy too.  He lets us know we are loved and we love that.  He is also cozy in the way he dresses. This part of his coziness drives us a little crazy sometimes! If he could choose what to wear everyday, it would be either jogging pants or the adidas (or whatever brand) gym pants.  Every day. All day.  And gym shorts in the summer. Oh. And a dri fit t shirt!  We have put limits on him so he knows now that he needs to dress "nice" a couple days a week too, but it is definitely not his favorite.

Kade has a lot of other clothing quirks too. He likes certain things and really doesn't like others. He gets really hung up on certain items and over wears.  He is old enough to decide for himself but we do intervene and encourage him to diversify as well.

Kade loves his sports too.  He loves hockey and soccer the best probably and appreciates each one in their season.  Whereas Kevin could do hockey all year long, Kade comes to a time when he is ready to be done and move on to the next sport.  He still talks about wanting to play football occasionally - but there really is nothing in this area and we are really not looking for more things to participate in either. 

Kade is really developing his own person as an athlete and that is fun to watch. He is different than Kevin and that is okay. I think they complement each other when they play together so this should be fun for them in the years ahead.

Kade is still a very social character. He loves to be with people.  He enjoys his friendships. If there is an opportunity to spend time with friends he will be up for it! He does seem to be settling down a bit and realizing that time at home is okay too. He seems to enjoy some down time which is a good thing.

Kade is our screen addict as we like to call him.  He is the kid who can somehow sneak into the office (very quietly) and make it on the computer before it logs out (which doesn't give him a lot of time). He loves kijiji and you tube.  He also loves his x box.  Our weekend policy is in place primarily because of him!  I'm pretty sure he has no sense of time when he plays and he for sure has no sense of "Wow, this is getting boring". He could play all day.  He doesn't!  He loves Minecraft and Strategy games. He will play sport games with Kevin too.

Kade is usually the first in our family to latch onto fads. He was huge into rubix cubes this past school year. He took the time to learn how to solve a number of different cubes and even took the time to try to teach his parents (who don't learn so quick!).  This was a great fad to be on. It takes brains and you can take it pretty much anywhere - plus you have to sit somewhat still and quiet!  The new thing is the fidget spinner. This is also pretty harmless but very popular!

Kade is actually somewhat of a reader. He will usually sit down at some point each day and read. He has certain types of books that he loves and I try to keep him supplied with such books. Right now that is Minecraft books of any time - true, make belief, learning etc.   Doesn't matter.  He soaks them up.  He also loves cartoon books. They seem to be a favorite.  There are actually a LOT of them out there so it is not too hard to keep him happy. 

Kade still loves the water and enjoys water activities.  He doesn't talk about being a coast guard as much as he used to, but we'll see!  He is done all his swimming lesson levels and will start on the bronze medallion course this summer.  He is a good swimmer!

Kade is still a very distracted/ unfocused person.  As in the past, this is sometimes comical and some times down right ridiculous.  I have learned how to give instructions at certain points.  "Kade! Go grab dad's blue sweater from beside his bed. Please don't confuse it with the black on in the basket in his closet. It is blue and it is on the floor."  You'd think that would be fail proof. Sometimes. Sometimes not.  That's just Kade!  Sometimes he will get to his destination and have absolutely no idea what he is supposed to be doing/getting. (I guess that is not totally crazy - I have those moments too!) I'm not sure if it because his mind is so busy that the message gets lost in traffic, or if he just has the ability to think about nothing  - and loses it that way!  It is Kade!

Kade has had his first chiropractic and massage therapist visits this past year as well. His back occasionally gives him a bit of trouble.  He has to work on his posture.  Things seem to be okay for the last couple months. I think he put it out of whack doing crazy things on the trampoline. He loves doing front and back flips and is good at them  . . . but not every landing is perfect!

Kade has had glasses for 3 years now and it is just recently after his appointment that he really started wearing them.  He had to decide for himself that he needed them and it finally came time.  We are now at the point where he looks funny when he is not wearing them.  Though we love his cute little "no glasses" face, I am glad he is wearing them and seeing the world clearly!

Kade would really, really, really love to have a dirt bike.  His kijiji moments are spent trying to find a good one.  He is learning. At first he was sure the very first one he saw was "THE ONE".  Now he seems content to look and learn . . . though I know he still really wants one.

Kevin and Kade are good friends. They lead somewhat different lives and do not spend a ton of time together right now, but they don't fight much either.  When they are home at the same time, you may find them playing hockey, watching a hockey game, taking soccer shots at each other, or playing x box. Kade is pretty loyal to Kevin and protects him. (though this is not always helpful to us, it is what brothers seem to do!)

Kade and Kylie seem to have reached a bit of a truce lately.  They have had a pretty good year. One of Kade's new years propositions was that if he did not bug Kylie for a full year, he would get a dirt bike. The dirt bike is not going to happen (he bugged), but he does seem to bug less. Still does. But less.  We are grateful!

Kade is also great with Karter and Konnor. He is not always wanting to sit down with them or occupy them, but when he does, he is great. He will read them books or play a game, or set up blocks.  They love their big brother time too. It is good for them all.

This was also the year that Kade got braces. He got them on in October or November. He adjusted well and his teeth are already amazingly improved!

Kade is also brave when asking for things.  He wanted to play in a hockey tournament fundraiser this past April.  I wasn't sure I wanted to pay his fee, but they were allowed to get people to sponsor them to play. He had no problem asking for sponsors and getting the money.  It is the same way with ordering food. He has no problem with it .  . .whereas Kevin was always much more hesitant. Kade has confidence!

Kade does not love school work. He does need to routine of school though. He was the first to be bored during Christmas holidays.  I think he does well knowing what is going to happen each day. If there is too much time for him to plan out and fill himself, he gets a little lost.
Kade loves music.  He picks lyrics up really quick (except memory work songs).  He likes songs with a beat and thinks he needs to fall asleep to music.  He thinks he would like to play the drums.

Kade is pretty good at waking up. Though he seems to love his bed a bit more and more as he gets older, he usually knows when he needs to be up for school and doesn't usually come down late.  I am grateful for that. He even makes his bed most days! The clothes and towel on the floor still need work!

Kade.  When I first started writing I had a pretty good case of writers block.  How do you sum you up? You are growing up fast and the older you get the harder it is to write.  It is easy to write about first steps and first teeth. It is a whole lot harder to sum up the character and personality of a teenager!  I hope I do you justice. You are a great kid.  You are a kid we are extremely proud of. You are not perfect, but you are willing to learn from your imperfections.  When you offend, you usually want to make it right. You are a bit sensitive and that is  a great thing.  It is good to "have a heart" and feel for others. Don't forget to do that! Remember to work hard! It is hard work to work hard, but it is so important. Give it 100%.  And give God 100% .  Don't give Him what you have left over at the end of the day. He is deserving of so much more.  Be faithful in your Bible reading and prayers.  He is the Giver of all good things.  

Kade, thanks for the hugs, and the "I love you"s  that you give so often.  Don't stop.  We love you so much - jogging pants and all :)