You’re 6! in 2018

As of 8/29/18 – I wrote this months ago, but never posted :))

Ah, Joaquin, you’re 6! You’re officially in kindergarten and you’re getting so damn big and so damn smart.

In the past year, you’ve continued to shine your bright light in so many ways; a true go -getter in all the sports you play, a hard worker at school. You’re a thoughtful, creative and sensitive soul. You earned an empathy award, the sportsmanship award, student of the month for achievement in the classroom and the outstanding effort award for the year. I couldn’t be any prouder of your continued tenacity and hard work. I also appreciate your kind and generous heart so, so much.

You’re rotating through fall soccer and winter basketball, and then spring soccer and summer basketball. Papa coached you this past summer season of basketball, and it was a bit rough. It was hard ‘sharing’ your Papa with other kids on the team, but you both worked through it and you improved so much under his strong guidance. You just started your third ‘season’ of AYSO soccer, and I can see how much confidence and skill you’ve gained over the course of the past year. Coaches, parents and other kids go out of their way to tell us how impressed they are – and they are usually referring to your non-stop energy and hustle. It’s truly your ‘superpower.’

Your first summer camp experience was a success in the sense that you were able to spend your days learning about theater and performance, but you also gained a lot of new ‘older’ friends, bonded over beyblading and had a summer crush that you are still raving about. Sophie, older than you by at least two years. It’s heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time because I watched you have some new and interesting feelings this summer, and now that you are both in different schools for the year you really miss your daily hangouts. She really caught your attention and made you feel special. Brace yourself, little buddy. You love so deeply and are so sensitive, it’s going to be an interesting journey through the years.

You currently really love “Beyblade” and you planned an amazing birthday party (that papa and I executed) that consisted of teaching / training all your friends how to put together and use beyblades so they could prepare for a tournament. Then, everyone competed in a single-elimination bracketed tournament until there were only two remaining. Of course, you won the whole thing with your custom-made metal-tipped ringer, but it was a success according to all in attendance. I was really impressed with your planning skills and your competitive spirit. It was a lot of fun.

What you love: soccer, basketball, Disneyland, legos, homework (!!), Beyblade, Star Wars
Favorite foods: pasta, pizza, rice / sauce, candy
Favorite shows: Beyblade, Ben 10, anything scary, Goonies, ET, Star Wars

We love/hate getting into crazy esoteric conversations with you - the meaning of life, where people go when they die, what “nothing” actually is.... Your brain is so much like your dad’s - an existentialist to the core. It’s amazing and exhausting all at once.

We’re constantly proud of and impressed with you. You challenge us to set better examples and be more critical thinkers. You’re awesome and amazing and we love you.