Little C's 11. What the World.

Little C ice skating FAST at his b-day celebration.

He invited two of his pals to go ice skating with us and accepted the accompaniment of two little brothers.

Little C was off skating his brains out. He LOVES to ice skate - but this doesn't allow time for him to be captured in many photos. This was Lou's first time ice skating and he was a champ. He fell numerous times but got back up and tried again.

Ruckus on the other hand - HATED ice skating. :)... at first.

But eventually began to enjoy himself.

Even paused for an "USie"
(I'm so annoyed by the word selfie that of course I know the other terms of annoying picture taking descriptions - like USie is taking a selfie of you and someone else - also if you take a picture of someone while they're taking a selfie it is called a themie -  my knowledge is vast.)

Hanging with his buds.

The Beloved, who refuses to participate in any activity where something other than shoes have to be attached to his feet, stayed home with Moo and The Baby. :) In his defense,  he does desperately struggle to keep "The One" off the ground when engaging in sports aforementioned. :)

 Ha - "The One"  - it still makes me laugh.

I had a really fun evening with my older boys. We ice skated for about an hour and then had deliciously hot chocolate afterward.

Little C and his friends sat at a different table than Lou, Ruckus, and I while we sipped our hot drinks. Ahhh, It begins. How does he not recognize how amazingly cool I am? :)

Little C,

The other night we made a tally of how many times you disagreed with us during Family Home Evening. I think we arrived to the number 8 within the first five minutes. You are the disputer my friend. A funny, sarcastic, never ending disputer. I see a future in the law business. Aunt Angie told me the other day they call your close cousin H, who has similar qualities in this department, "The Contrary". Ha. I love it. You guys will probably disagree with this naming of Cousin H and make up a word similar to the silliness of the word "irregardless" except have it be "irrecontrary" - meaning contrary of being contrary. 

What? I don't know. I'll stop teasing you now. :)

Anyway - 

although you love to disagree (which is truly is a trait you somehow developed from The Beloved, who loves to play devils advocate A Lot.) you also are quite obedient despite your verbal retorts. You are my go-to guy. 100%.

I don't know what I'd do without my eleven year old pal. You've mastered making macaroni and cheese for your hungry, younger siblings when I'm busy with a task. You can babysit, mow the lawn, shovel the walks, warm up the car on a cold day, and OCD clean when you put your mind to it. When I was pregnant with your sister you were even willing to ride your bike to the gas station to get my sleepy, overly large self all of the items sprawled out on my cravings list.

You're so cool.

  These trips were short lived though after you came home telling me about all your various friends you were making at the gas station. 

Alert, alert! Scary! Danger! What was my prego self thinking? 

NO craving needs to be met that badly. 

But thank you so very much for your kindness while I let it last.
You usually tell me what's going on in your life. Please continue doing this. I love hearing about what is going on in your fifth grade psyche.
You did have a girlfriend for a bit but then The Beloved and I decided we were being undependable in our belief re: not dating until you're sixteen. We thought it was kind of cute at first, you having a little girlfriend, and since you can't technically go out on a date at this age - no harm, no foul. But the truth is, there is no exception to the standard, so we had a little chat with you about not dating until you're sixteen - what that means - and how we're sorry for the lack of discouragement previously shown. You responded beyond your years; understanding perfectly.
But, I still felt bad.
Then next day you obediently broke up with your girlfriend. You explained you really did like her, a lot - but you can't have a girlfriend. You said you were way too immature for a relationship (your own very wise words).
I was super proud.
She's been horrible to you ever since. 
It breaks my heart and ticks me off.
We've discussed how girls are crazy and she's responding this way because her feelings are hurt.  Sometimes it's hard to be strong but I've been overly impressed by your endurance.
We tease you that you're suffering from MMS and MMR.
MMS - Multiple Made-UP Sicknesses
MMR - Multiple Made-Up Randomness
You are a bit of a worrier and hypochondriac so if anyone is sick or injured you probably will be to.  If your friend brakes a bone, you're sure you will to. You questioned me for about half an hour the other day about breast cancer. Can you get it? No Little C. No Little C. No Little C. Over and over again. I felt a little dishonest knowing once in awhile a man does develop this kind of cancer so I shared this info with you - focusing on the rarity of it - which brought on another half hour of questioning. Funny guy.
MMR - you are random, random, random. Asking questions completely out of the blue with zero relevancy.
Example -
"Mom, if the only way to save my life was to eat my poo, would you?"
"Yes."
"Really! You would eat my poop?!"
"If it meant saving your life, yes. Wouldn't you eat my poop to save my life?"
"Yes."
So... there you go. We've agreed to eat each other's poo in a life or death situation, though we both dry heaved a bit at the thought. What a bond we share my boy. :)
Tween Little C is fun.
You sit with the adults now being chatting whilst humoring us with your wit and sarcasm. 
It's so enjoyable getting to know "growing up" Little C. 
I love, love your guts buddy.
Please forgive me for my teasing.
I adore you immensely. You are such a blessing in my life.
Love,
Mama