Dear Tobin,

This month brings us into our busiest time of year. Springtime is always a whirlwind, with concerts and sports practices and games and school events and trying to squeeze some family time in there too. While I do prioritize family dinner, it’s plain impossible on the nights that you have soccer practice straight into a baseball game. Naturally, the soccer fields and the baseball diamonds are across town from each other, so it’s a logistical challenge as well. Still, it seems less exhausting for you than for your dad and me, so we continue to support you in your multi-sport lifestyle. It will be nice once school lets out so the late nights at the ballpark have less impact on your sleep.

You’re feeling a lot better about school now. Your teacher has returned from her maternity leave, and I think your classroom atmosphere is much improved. Your general mood and attitude have returned to the cheerful Tobin I know. That’s a huge relief. Your dad and I were worried that you were getting turned off of school because things weren’t going well with your class. It’s nice to see you happy and excited about school most days now.

You’re a member of student council, and one of your tasks is visiting kids in younger grades and reading to them. Several times you’ve mentioned how much you enjoy that, and how cute and nice the little kids are. You’ve always been fond of young kids and great with Callum. I bet you’d be a good babysitter, teacher, and dad one day.

Photo by Mubby

You continue to have enthusiasm for food. Not only have you expanded your palate lately, you’ve also expanded your stomach. Your dad and I are sure you’re on a growth spurt, because you’ve been insatiable. As dinner winds down many nights, you start making laps around the table (not unusual) asking people if they’re going to finish whatever is on their plates (unusual). The pantry snacks disappear quickly, and you usually pack an extra container of Goldfish in your backpack to have at school on top of your regular packed lunch.

You are also excited about cooking. You did most of the work in making your own pasta the other night for scrounge night, and you requested that we make chile colorado together this weekend. It’s a good time to do it, because the sage and oregano are popping up in our herb garden. You also hope to go to the Mexican market with me to pick up dried chiles. I like having you in the kitchen with me because I appreciate your jolly nature and genuine helpfulness. It’s nice to not have to scramble to set the table because you can keep an eye on whatever is on the stove.

You love being outdoors, including getting into messy fun with your friends down in the creek near our house. Most of your friends are as busy with activities as you are, so the wildboy life isn’t in full swing yet, but I’m sure you’ll be living more of it as the spring transitions into less-busy summer. Last summer, nearly every day the doorbell would ring and a ragtag gang of kids on bikes would ask for you. I don’t anticipate this summer going much differently.

You’re excited to start middle school next year. You have an orientation coming up, and I hope there’s something for parents at some point. We sort of missed that when Artemis went into junior high, because it was the first pandemic year when nearly everyone was online. That meant we didn’t get the same kind of introduction to junior high that a family would in a typical year. We scrambled through it and got up to speed when Art returned to in-person school for eighth grade, but it will be nice to do it the traditional way with you. This year is unusual in that the junior high is transitioning to a middle school model, so the current fifth graders will also be graduating from elementary school with you. You’re excited that you won’t have to be in the youngest grade in the school. We haven’t gotten your schedule yet, but you filled out a form expressing your interest in a wide range of electives. I hope you get some good ones.

Your current favorites: playing Gorilla Tag on the Oculus with your friends, playing outside, lingering over cocktail hour with the family, eating many different foods in large quantities, soccer, baseball, books by Rick Riordan, watching shows and sports with your dad, and having zest for life. You’re a sparkler.

I love that smile. I love that kid.

Love,

Mom