1. Throwback Thursday: Share an old photo and let it inspire your blog post.
One look at baby Kainoa absolutely melts me. LOOK HOW ADORABLE HE WAS!! But I am not fooled by that sweet face. I know that child pushed me to my absolute limit on many days. I remember crying to my husband, “How can I love him so much and not LIKE HIM at all right now!?” Raising this boy has been a battle because a.) he would like to have a good time all the time even if his idea of a good time is dangerous, b.) he lacks awareness of personal space, and c.) he enjoys pushing buttons…actual buttons and also the buttons that make you want to punch a wall.
I have been chasing my son for 11 years straight as of this week. Despite the fact that I struggle to keep him from rotting his brain on video games and sugar, I really enjoy him at this age. He’s old enough to reason with and more willing to compromise, but he’s not too old where he wants to spend all of his time out with his friends.
He’s old enough to offer sage advice:
kainoa: You guys want to know what to do if you are being bullied?
But not too old to laugh at himself:
maile: What the heck? I’m not taking advice from you. You play Fortnite all day. You’re just going to tell us to shoot them with a pump shotgun.
Toddler Kainoa was scary, but I’ll be honest the idea of future high school/college aged Kainoa is terrifying. Knowing that the core of this human is ready to have a BLAST everywhere he goes leaves me hoping that he surrounds himself with really mature and thoughtful friends that will keep him from playing chicken with freight trains. Or lighting things on fire. Or pulling a chair out from under a teacher. Or attempting to swim across a lake. Or racing friends down a one way street in my minivan.
In the meantime, I am so thankful that our biggest issue is screen time and making sure he’s in bed by 10pm.
I can do eleven years old!
Happy Birthday Kainoa!
You turned one.
You turned two.
You turned three.
You turned four.
You turned five.
You turned six.
You turned seven.
You turned eight.
You turned nine.
You turned 10.
VandyJ says
Eleven was the beginning of the hardest years for Turbo and his dad. Turbo was just opinionated enough that they clashed something awful. By 13 they were over the worst of it and now they get along fairly well. We have hit 15 and the learning driver’s permit. Each year presents it’s challenges as well as it’s high points. I love watching him grow and become the person he’s supposed to be.
Mama Kat says
Oh man, my girl is going to turn 15 in October and we’ll be gearing up for a driver’s permit too! So crazy to think these little babies of ours have grown this fast!
Gigi says
I hesitate to say it, but 11 to about 14 was the hardest with mine.. But I’m sure Kainoa will go easy on you.
Happy Birthday, Kainoa!!
Mama Kat says
Haha! Well we’ll see! This kid manages to keep me guessing all the time. I’m always hoping the “next phase” will get easier, but if past behavior is a predictor of future behavior, my guess is that there is no “easy” phase where Kainoa is concerned. lol
John Holton says
Happy birthday to Kainoa! Your cat looks a lot like our first, Kismet a/k/a Kittyface.
Mama Kat says
Thank you! I love that name for a kitty!
madamdreamweaver says
I love the picture with your cat laying on your son’s back. cute
Mama Kat says
She just climbed right up on his back and made herself comfortable! Hahaha!
Paula Kiger says
I love your consistency in doing these birthday posts for your kids!
Mama Kat says
Aw thank you! I’ve definitely come close to forgetting a couple of times! I always click back and read the previous ones. So funny to me how consistent their personalities have remained since they were small!