Beckett is 12 years old and in 6th grade, his first year of Junior High at Maple View Middle School. It is his first time having multiple teachers and navigating a campus going from class to class. He seems to be adapting really well and enjoys being "away from those annoying 4th graders". He is in some HiCap classes which help him engage his academic mind and feel appropriately challenged.
He's currently doing a small 6 week basketball season through the school on T/Th morning's at 7 before school. He has a jamboree at the end of the month at Summit Trail MS so we're excited to see him in action!
He really seems to be into sports. Whether it's watching the Mariners, Seahawks or the Phoenix Suns, he's always interested in watching the game and definitely takes it hard when his team loses (especially the Suns).
Beckett continues to mention that in the Spring he'd like to go out for Track & Field. So it looks like we'll have both boys participating in T&F this Spring. It's so cute watching Hudson give Beckett pointers and help educate him on all things T&F and running in general. Beckett actually accompanied Hudson on a 13.1 mile run a couple weekends ago. While B needed to stop and rest here and there, I can't believe he even entertained the idea and am so proud of him being brave enough to try to keep up with his brother.
The last 6 months' adventures include the following:
1) Basketball Camp X 2: This past Summer Beckett joined not one but two different basketball camps. One was huge with a ton of kids and the other was really intimate.
2) Golf Lessons: Beckett did mommy a favor and joined her in taking a couple golf lessons at Maplewoods Golf Course. We learned about our grip, stance, swing, scoring and the different types of clubs. The reward was lunch at the clubhouse the last day.
3) Mariner's Game: We went to a Mariner's game in July while Tia was in town with the boys. Gabe caught two fly balls which was super exciting and Uncle Aaron joined us as well. It was a fun day at the ballpark complete w a train ride south to Aaron's.
4) Road Trip: We did a mini road trip and ventured up into British Colombia starting with Whistler and doing a loop to the East and then back down South. We saw some beautiful areas of the Canadian mountains and multiple huge lakes along the way.
5) Montana Man: The guys all headed back to Condon for the 7th MMW. An interesting turn of events is that they may migrate to the Methow Valley next Summer.
6) Twisp: The boys got to spend a couple weeks in the Methow last Summer. One long weekend for the 2nd Mile Ranch 50th reunion and then a few days later went back for a work week and stayed while mom/dad were in Leavenworth.
Beckett recently lost 3 teeth in fairly quick succession. So I'm thinking we'll be ready to get braces back on after his next ortho appt in February. Funny side note is that he never asked about the tooth fairy or about leaving his tooth under his pillow for $$ ;)
Beckett continues to find comfort with his stuffy "Tip Top". He likes to sleep with mom when dad is at work and curls up tight with Tip Top always under the covers.
Beckett is getting taller. Mom still has maybe an inch on him, but it's only a matter of months before he'll be taller and looking down on us ;) I'm sure if he could put himself in a stretch machine to be a super tall basketball player he would jump at the chance.
Beckett has started to go through the tween angst. His moods take over and he often talks back and challenges mom/dad which is not fun for anyone. We all know it's part of the natural maturation phase and this challenging time will come and go. In the meantime we're trying to coach him in proper ways to express himself and cope with situations he finds frustrating/annoying.
He continues to have an inquisitive mind and asks questions....ALOT OF QUESTIONS!!!! He has the same "girl-friend" from grade school, Maddy. He is a nascent intellectual, a lover of funny memes and sports and has a good buddy Jace who he spends a lot of time with at school shooting hoops. He seems to be a very well rounded young man and we love our Beckett-boo SO MUCH! It's hard to believe he'll be a teenager on his next birthday. This year we're doing a family outing to the family fun center to celebrate his birthday. He asked for chocolate on chocolate for his cake and cinnamon toast crunch for his birthday sugar cereal.
Beckett's Current Favorites:
Colors: Green
Book: Warrior (about cats)
Song: Mark Knofler
Breakfast food: Donuts (Bismark's are his favorite)
Dinner food: Sushi
Number: 13
Best friend: Jace