My little bubster,

It appears you aren't so little anymore.

In fact, Oliver Kai,

It's pretty incredible that your ever so growing body can house your ginormous glowing heart.

One that made Mommy and Daddy cry happy tears when we first heard it,

 That made our hearts burst with joy when you first said "Ma-Ma" and "Da-da",

Or when we even smelled your bald little head for the first time.

My heart burst when you took your first step,

Which quickly led to your first SPRINTS around the house,

And climbing EVERYTHING you could.

And it seems like the next day,

You were sleeping in your "big boy" Paw Patrol Bed,

And now here we are,

The night before your first day of school.

And Mamma finds herself again,

Crying happy tears and having lots of "feels."

You may not know what "feels" means.

It's kinda like when you first went down a slide at the playground,

Or when you give Cesar, the cat, wayyyyyy to many treats,

Or even when YOU-- kiss Mommy and Daddy's bo bo's,

My kind and sweet boy.

It's a mix of excitement, happiness, and love.

And as each tear drops, I smile thinking about the boy you've become and the boy you're growing into.

I know you want to grow up to be a Police Officer,

Or a Fireman,

Or a Taxi Driver

Or a Garbage Man,

Depending on the day,

But for tomorrow,

Just be yourself.

Sing your silly songs that you love to sing at the top of your lungs,

Build YOUR masterpieces,

Share your laugh, and your smile,

And know that it's OK to find your own way.

Although Math, English, Shapes, and Rhyming are important,

It's the character of your heart that I want to you continue to grow the most.

Make friends with your silly smile,

Play tag and race around with those growing feet,

And don't give up when someone else gets in front of you when you race,

The only place you have to look is forward.

Because this life and our world is filled with endless seconds, minutes, hours, days, and weeks of learning,

And you my sweet, boy, are ready for the challenge.

As I tuck you into bed tonight and kiss you sweetly,

And we say our night time sillies,

"Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite... or we'll hit them with a kite... right!"

Know that I'm always proud of you.

... And don't pick up too many girls on the first day of school.

XO- Mamma, Daddy, And Cesar the Cat.

You can pick up a copy of my book, Break the Mould: Becoming Fit, Fearless and Fierce HERE!*