Our Little Teenager

Ben is becoming more and more like a big kid everyday. The thought of him spending less and less time with us and more and more time on his own or with friends is quickly becoming a reality. Some of the things he's up to lately:

• We bought him size 5 1/2 tennis shoes this past week.
• Occasionally will sleep in until 9:00 on the weekend
• Has signed up to play traveling basketball this winter
• The last three days he's been to a Twins game with 2 buddies (on a school night, I might add), the homecoming football game with another buddy, and to a Twins Corn Maze with about 4 other friends. Mr. Social I would say! I'm starting to feel like I hardly ever see him.
• Calling friends on the weekend to play backyard football, baseball, soccer, etc...
• He and Matt walk home from school on their own.
• Asked for his own drink refill while at the shopping mall food court. (In the past he would have INSISTED that we do this for him)
• Takes care of his homework on his own and reminds me when he needs to bring his recorder to school. (4th graders are playing the recorders in music and he LOVES it!)
• Wakes up in the morning and watches "Quick Pitch" on the MLB network. (A baseball highlights show vs. Oomi Zoomi with the other boys.)
• Follows football games on Sundays and keeps track of how his Fantasy Football team is doing.
• Enjoys having a later bedtime than the other boys. He gets to watch a little Twins baseball and then heads to his room to read.
• Turns 10 in 2 months!

Fortunately he still likes to give me hugs, gets very chatty about his day when I tuck him in at night, and continues to set good examples for his little brothers!