8 years gone way too fast

Nick at 6 months

Nick 10/13/12

At 8 years old, Nick is growing and maturing fast.  He is handsome and smart.  He has the same adorable smile and bright eyes he did as a baby.  He stands about 1 foot shorter than me.  He has lost so many baby teeth we lost count.  He is an excellent student in class, and studies hard to make straight A's.

He has become a strong athlete.  He loves football....just like his Dad.  If someone will catch the ball, he will pass it ALL DAY.  He has a great arm and throws with accuracy.  He watches football with great interest with his Dad.  He also still enjoys baseball and can consistently hit the ball out to the outfield.  Nick can easily do 20 military style push ups on demand.  He is always excited and anxious to play sports.

Nick is the easiest child to parent. He is laid back and NEVER pitches a fit over anything.  There is no drama in his vocabulary.  He goes to bed on his own without instance (and as soon as his head hits the pillow he is out!).  He wakes up just as easily.  He does his homework and his chores without much prompting.  He has been a great trooper with his braces...I pray this continues.  At this age, Nick will wear anything in his closet or dresser....he doesn't care about 'fashion'.

He is a big breakfast eater and absolutely loves eggs...fried eggs, scrambled eggs, egg salad.  He does not like white milk.  He only drinks chocolate milk.  He loves steak (but braces have come in the way of his steak eating).   Nick will not eat cheese unless is it white cheese on pizza.  Nick is not a junkfood junkie.  Nicholas loves seafood...shrimp and crabs.

Nick spends his free time passing football, playing his 3DS, riding his bike, or playing Skylanders on the Wii.  He spends his allowance on Skylanders.  He saves over half his allowance in his piggy bank and only spends a small amount.  He has begun reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books and loves them.

Nicholas loves his sister.  He watches out for her.  He protects her.  He doesn't allow her to ride the 4-wheeler with anyone else because he fears she'll get hurt.  He loves having his buddies over to play, but will also have just as much fun playing with Lauren.  Each evening they both can be heard laughing hysterically and running wild thru the house like wild donkeys together. 

Daddy is Nick's #1 role model.  He'll do anything to make Dad proud, happy, or to please him.  Dad's opinion almost always overrules my opinion.  But, at the end of the day, he still likes me to tuck him into bed and say his prayers with him.  :) 

At eight years old, my first-born is a sweet boy who is a good friend to others and to me.  When I'm sad, he lifts me up.  When I'm laughing he laughs harder.  He's a blessing to my life.  Watching him grow overwhelms me with pride and love.  I am enjoying every minute, and even though I wish time would slow down, I can't wait to see the man he becomes.  And, I don't want to miss a single moment.