TARHEEL MOM OF FOUR: Sumner

Sumner turned 8 on Monday, March 2nd. Not to be overshadowed by the school-wide celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday, I took cupcakes to his school for lunch. He was very pleased to hand them out to his classmates...it's the little things.

Sumner is a busy little guy. He just wrapped up his basketball season finishing second in the standings. He was one of the tallest on the team, which is great for rebounding, but he's also one of the skinniest on the team, which is not so great for driving and making your own space on the floor! ha ha
We're now onto baseball and soccer season. Another double season that I said I would not allow my kids to do. However, he's kind of committed to his soccer team (that he's been with now for 5 seasons) and his daddy is the "commissioner" of the baseball league he plays for so he definitely wouldn't let the season pass by without him.
He does a good bit of reading...not quite like his older sister, but he never complains when it is time to do his reading homework. It's the only time he seems focused!
His focusing abilities are rough lately...well, over the past 2-3 years at least. You know the saying, "He'd lose his head if it wasn't attached"? Well, that is Sumner to a T!!!
Let me set the scene:
Sumner is watching some cartoons before school. I ask him to go get a jacket and his backpack to get ready for the bus. I usually have to ask twice and yell twice for him to actually move. Then he'll go into the hallway to get his things and then walk back to the living room...without anything. I'll ask him (just for heck of it), "Sumner, what did you come into the hallway for?" and he'll look at you totally lost and shrug. "Get your stuff for school!", I'll say. A flash of "oh" crosses his face and he goes to get his things. Problem is...this is a daily occurrence! aaacck!
More examples:
*Last year he forgot his lunchbox on the bus or at school at least once a week. We've made some progress this year.
*We leave his homework for the week in the same spot on the refrigerator...been doing it for 2 years. He still forgets where to look for it sometimes.
*He puts his shirts on backwards at least once a week and his shorts on backwards constantly! Bless his heart!
*Almost everyday...leaves his water bottle he just fixed on the counter when we got to practice. Or leaves it in the car when he gets out for practice!

But he's my first born boy and I love his little stinkin' heart so much. When I think about him, or any of my kids, growing up so fast it kills me. He's gonna be a grown up someday and not NEED me! sniff and sigh

Sumner:
He loves spaghetti.
He loves all pasta.
He loves jokes.
He loves the Chargers and Phillip Rivers.
He loves football.
He loves Ace.
He loves the Tarheels.
He loves Legos.
He loves XBOX 360.
He loves his friends.
He loves the beach.
He loves to yell and fire up his teammates.
He loves baseball.
He loves home runs and being the catcher.
He wants to go to UNC basketball camp.
He wants a TV in his room...not happening.
He likes to talk smack...even if he hasn't figured out he supposed to able to back it up.
He likes reading.
He likes the Panthers, but not Cam Newton.
He likes soccer.
He likes wakeboarding.
He likes chess.
He likes America's Got Talent...especially the magic tricks.
He likes ginger ale.
He likes tennis.
He likes competitive swimming.
He likes to be the collection plate usher at church.
He likes Minecraft.
He likes to play games on his phone.
He doesn't like to be wrong.
He can be kinda sneaky.
He loves his brother and sisters and sometimes he doesn't.
He loves his momma and daddy and he sometimes doesn't.

Happy Birthday to my big boy! He's tougher than he looks, but so very sensitive. He has a silly smile that makes me giggle and I love his genuine enthusiasm for the things he loves. He makes you just want to smile and support him in all his endeavors.

We celebrated late Monday night after soccer practice. He'd had a shower and was in his pj bottoms...thus his attire! ha ha