Parker Turns Fifteen

Parker is 15 years old!! He is such an inquisitive, engaging, empathetic person. He has become so much more independent this year, both a wonderful and heart aching development. Parker was out of town with a church youth group service trip to L.A. on his birthday, so we didn't get the usual very specific meal requests. But it sounded like he was very much celebrated on his special day. And here's a bit more about 15-year-old Parker. He...

• is very solidly taller than his mama now (he has to lean down to give hugs!) and the debate continues about whether he has passed up his papa too.
• crushed his first year of high school! He worked hard, got straight As, and made good friends. 
• debated between doing golf or cross country with Lincoln High School in the fall. He made the golf team so that decided it for him. He didn't get much playing time, but he met new friends and seemed to have a good time.
• made the Lincoln High School soccer team in the Spring! There were four teams and he made the third one, which he was pretty happy with as a freshman. 
• finished another year of Seattle United soccer and started another one. He has a new coach this year who seems great. 
• did Friday night ski bus again, this year with Lincoln. It's amazing how great of a skier he's become. 
• eats a lot!! His favorites are chocolate, waffles, pasta, and Chipotle. And he still doesn't like squash, mushrooms, and tofu.
• loves many sports teams, including the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Guardians, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Sounders, and FC Barcelona.
• is still deeply in love with Tater. He wishes she would show him a bit more love and affection, but when she does, he's in heaven. I'm pretty sure that snuggling with Tater is his happy place.
• has taken up scootering, has acquired a trick scooter, and he's apparently pretty good. He has been spending lots of time at the skate park as it's just a quick bus ride downtown.
• still loves his family, but when given the choice he will usually choose to be off with friends, preferably at the skate park or at a sleepover. 
• no longer has a set bedtime. His phone needs to be away by 9:30 and we'll readdress a bedtime if a lack of sleep seems to be impacting him negatively, but for now he's in charge. It's very weird to go to bed before him. 
• still wakes up in the morning like a puppy dog, disheveled and looking for a hug. The best!

P.S. Parker Turns Fourteen