My dear Miles,

You have had quite a couple of weeks.  I think you’ve missed more school in the last two weeks than you’d missed the entire rest of the school year.  You had a bit of health trouble (all under control now), which was stressful for you.  I am really proud of how well you handled it, though.  You’ve maintained a good attitude about your medications and were always cooperative at doctor visits.  The only thing you were really worried about was missing an important chapter in the book your teacher is reading to you at school.

We had a fun experience last weekend recording the song “Brown Gold” with Family Folk Machine.  It was pretty cool to try new sound equipment, and we just got to hear the audio today.  You had a solo, and your little voice sounded so clear and sweet.  I’m proud of the bravery you’ve developed for singing, both in front of an audience and for a recording.  I’m also very proud of how well you handled yourself during the recording process.  It was a long process for a kid, but when things got tiring and frustrating, you moved past your own feelings and kept working hard for the good of the project.  It’s going to be turned into a video, so we’re both  excited to see the result.

Your new favorite thing in the entire world is the ice cream truck.  It had never shown up in our neighborhood too much before this season, but now we’ve seen it twice.  I remember the thrill I felt when I was a kid and an ice cream truck would go down my street.  Even though it’s the same kind of treats we have in our freezer (though I think the ice cream truck leans more toward the artificial colors and flavors than I generally select), there’s something really special about waving down the ice cream man for a treat on the front porch.  It must play to our predatory ancestry or something.  I hope our ancestors had tooth fairy money to spend on the treats they happened upon.

Speaking of the tooth fairy, you’ve lost another tooth after a long hiatus from tooth loss.  It happened while we were in the car on our way to Ames, and unlike just about everything else you kids have in the back seat, you didn’t drop it onto the floor or between the seat cushions.  You held it tightly until we got there, and sure enough, the Ames tooth fairy came through for you.

Photo by Gary Clarke

Our true purpose in going to Ames was to see Cousin Aleks and his parents, who are up from Nashville for a brief visit.  You had so much fun with the little guy, although he doesn’t like to sit still for too much cuddling these days.  You love all babies, I think.  Of course you’re still wonderful with Callum, and your dad told me you were having a ton of fun with a little one-year-old at the playground the other night.  This afternoon I told you an anecdote:  Tobin, Callum and I went to your school today to do some volunteering in your school garden, and when I told Callum “We’re going to school to see Miles,” he broke into a big smile and even laughed.  When I told you that, you were so psyched that he knew your name.  It might have been a coincidence, but he definitely responds to you.  I think you’re the family member who can make him laugh the most.

We’re going to Nashville in July for a week, and it looks like we’re going to drive.  I hope you can work your comedy stylings on him during that long haul.  I’m dreading it already, but not because of you.  You’ve done a great job on car trips lately, and though you probably won’t love sitting in the car for nine hours, I know I can trust you to handle it.

A major accomplishment this month was your participation in the Lucas Spelling Bee.  You were on a team with two second-graders, and you held your own.  First graders are the youngest allowed to participate, and I think you had a good time.  Your team didn’t win, which disappointed you, but you made a very respectable showing.  You’re looking forward to being in the spelling bee every year you’re a Lucas student.  Your dad was a judge, which was pretty cool.  He didn’t cheat for you, and you didn’t need him to.

School is going great, though you’re looking forward to upcoming summer break.  You’re taking a few fun summer school classes, but fewer than ever before.  We’re going to have a lot of time together, you and your brothers and I.  I’m going to have to make a big list of activities and adventures and art projects so we don’t go crazy.  I have a few in mind already, and I bet the Internet has more to offer.

For Mother’s Day, you and your dad and brothers took me out for some good food, got me a nice present, and did a reasonably good job of going a whole day without fighting.  You also made me a very special project in school in which you listed your top ten reasons for loving me.  You’re right about the laundry thing.  Oof.

I am so happy to have you for a son, Miles.  You’re a fantastic kid, and I will always find time to sing with you, give you cuddles, and read Batman books.

Love,

Mommy