Looking back at your last letter I see not a whole lot has changed. You've gone up a size in shoes and pants, but other than that you haven't passed me in height or shoe size. I have a feeling that will change come next birthday. You also haven't gotten braces like I predicted. The new dentist said we could wait so we'll see when it actually happens. You still like some of the same foods, like sushi, watermelon, dragon fruit, and other tropical fruits, but your biggest obsession is Orange Fanta. Your uncle Matt gave you one when we went to Mexico and you ask for it almost every chance you get. In fact, that's what you spend most of your earnings on. Hopefully, we don't have to make extra trips to the dentist for that too.
As this is your last year in elementary school, we were looking at our options for middle school. I was first leaning toward the middle school you are assigned to, but your dad wanted to look into the magnet schools funded by the school district. We then learned about Jones STEM middle school and you eagerly wanted to go to this one. You are going to have a focus on science which you enjoy the most out of all the subjects. You want to be a herpetologist one day (study of reptiles and amphibians) so I think it will be a good fit for you. Your absolute favorite animal is a hognose snake, so much so that you got one last Christmas. You also like axolotls and geckos. You also asked for a passion fruit vine and a Venus fly trap for your birthday. I just love these things about you.
Concerning fifth grade, I've seen growth. You have done well with testing, so I see a jump in concentration and understanding. Your writing has improved and you are pretty proficient in math. All good things. The biggest things you struggle with are all social in nature. You prefer to be alone most of the time and get mad at other students if they talk to you for any reason outside of school work. You are still in speech learning about back-and-forth conversations. You have gotten super sensitive and don't react well to teasing or scolding. Lately, you have been biting your hand as a coping mechanism. I just hope you can cope with middle school and all the things that go on there.
We've recently given you chores that need to be completed to gain screen time. You are so good at completing these chores without prompting, like dishes, homework, and lately taking care of your plants and animals. Thank you for being so responsible. This helps me feel better about middle school since it requires more responsibility to get to class and remember all the work that needs to be done. By completing additional chores you earned an allowance. Most of it goes to Fanta as I mentioned above, but when we went to the Reptile Show here in San Antonio you wanted to get a new pet so bad. Eli spent his whole savings on a gecko while you bought a mobile fake tarantula. You are hoping to earn money for next year's show. We'll see what happens then!
You've gotten less patient with siblings and there has been a lot of contention, but there are sweet moments too. Right now I can hear you play with Eden (who is at a difficult stage), and you will help watch the kids when I need you to. I'm sorry you have to be the bigger person a lot and also have to help your siblings with things. I appreciate the things you do and the big brother that you are.
I'm sure there's plenty I've forgotten, but no letter can truly capture the person you are, Joseph. I haven't met a person like you, and I just love how unique you are. I can appreciate how passionate you are about the things you are interested in. I find I enjoy learning about these things along with you. It has been so fun being your mom and I hope that I can practice more patience and empathy with you, especially in these coming years. I love you so very much!
Love,
Mom
