Monroe Turns Nine!

Monroe is nine years old!! He is a ball of energy, super sharp, and filled with all the feelings. He requested French Toast and a strawberry-banana smoothie for breakfast, school lunch, and chicken burgers for dinner. We were going in all different directions the afternoon/evening of Monroe's birthday so he, David, and Uncle Damian ended up picking up burgers and shakes at Red Mill for dinner. And here's a bit more about 9-year-old Monroe. He...

• seems to be in constant motion. Wouldn't it be great if we could find a way to bottle some of that energy for the rest of us?
• had a great third grade year! He was lucky enough to have a teacher who is well versed in wiggly kids who are also academically advanced and was not at all phased. Fingers crossed for next year. 
• is very social and made some new friends this year. He is also constantly asking for playdates. He tells us that his friends' parents love him because he's always well behaved at other people's houses. So that's good news. 
• loves making people laugh by putting on a show and saying silly (inappropriate?) things.
• still has high highs and low lows and processes everything out loud. 
• loves to set up training drills for himself in the back yard with the kick board, agility ladder, and goals.
• made Seattle United's top soccer team again this year. They have a new coach and some new players and he's super excited for the upcoming season. 
• decided not to play baseball this year, to everyone's surprise. The league even made a new rule that kids could wear bling during games and named it the Totten rule. 
• played on a basketball team through the community center with lots of his buddies. The kid is a pretty good dribbler and loves to shoot, even from distances that are not advisable for a kid his age. 
• still really enjoys needling his brothers and absolutely excels at it. Needless to say, it rarely ends well. 
• is still a really good eater and generally open to trying new things. 
• lists mac & cheese, pizza, pancakes, waffles, and French toast as his favorite foods. His least favorite foods are squash, kale, and spinach.
• isn't as into his stuffies these days but lists Tramp the squishmellow as his favorite.
• lists dogs, snakes, bunnies, and sharks as his favorite animals.
• loves Tater so much, most of the time a little too much. It turns out she doesn't love to have her head squeezed. It's a work in progress.
• is generous and always willing to share with his brothers. He is also often the first to show gratitude and say thank you. 
• loves back scratches and he's almost always ready for them since he's usually shirtless.
• gives BIG hugs, sweet kisses, and always wants to snuggle at bedtime. 

P.S. Monroe Turns Eight, Conway Turns Nine, Parker Turns Nine