Cameron, Stephanie, Andy, & Max: Andy at Age 10

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Andy at Age 10

Andy is such a wonderful boy and we're so lucky to have him in our home! Here are some things I want to remember about him right now:

He reads non-stop. Mostly graphic novels, but I'm "encouraging" him to read more real chapter books too. I bet he reads 2-4 hours a day right now. His favorite books are Fablehaven (he's reading that right now), Nathan Hale's "Hazardous Tales," and Garfield.
He still gets up at 6 on the dot every morning! He reads, does his jobs, eats breakfast, and is so good about being on the piano right at 7--before I've even gotten up. He's the definition of a self-starter. I don't really have to remind him to do anything--jobs, homework, etc.
He's really excelled with piano this last year. He started lessons with Dr. Janae Williams in August of 2020 and has made so much progress. He's competed lots this year and has done so well! He did the Encore Solo Festival in the Spring and was one of the Honor's Recital winners. If I'm remembering correctly he played "Fluttering Leaves" by Kolling and "Ivan Is Busy" by Khachaturian. He was also one of the Concerto Festival winners and played Bach's Concerto in F Minor. I got to accompany him and LOVED it. (Such a great piece!) He won 3rd place in the Encore Keyboard Competition in September, which is very competitive. He played the first movement of Mozart's Sonata in C Major K545 and Chopin's Nocturne in C minor Op. post. It was such an impressive lineup! He has such a knack for Chopin and naturally picked up rubato very quickly and beautifully. He was also an Honor's Recital winner in the duet festival in November. He and his partner Sarah Henry played "Serenade" by Schubert and "Viva Vivaldi" by Robert Vandall. Currently, he's learning the Mozart Concerto 21 in C Major (3rd mvmt) and a Teleman Suite (Allemande). He's also preparing to accompany his grade in the Christmas Sing. He works so hard, and I'm so proud of him.
He's been loving playing with his team the Steel Titans. They played really well this fall and won almost all their games. He's a defender and loves that.
He loves playing ping pong and asks Cameron every day to play. Cameron says he's gotten legitimately very good and even occasionally beats Cameron.
He says his best friends are Beckham, Jayden, and Cade Meyers. He's spent more time playing with friends this year (especially during the summer), but I would still say he's not dying to play with friends all the time. ;)
He got a Nintendo Switch last year for Christmas and he has spent a lot of time this year playing Rocket League, Smash Bros, and Zelda. I think his screen time is on his mind 24/7 and he is constantly negotiating for more screen time, worrying about his lost screen time, etc.
He is SO TALL and has really shot up this year! He is constantly growing out of clothes; keeping him clothed is a nonstop job for me.
He loves music and his always blasting music on our Alexa. I feel like I'm living in a night club. He says his favorite songs are, "I'm Bean" by Mr. Bean, "No no square," "Skibidi" by Little Big, "I love my car" by Mr. Bean. He also loves the Hamilton soundtrack, which is one of the few music selections we can agree on.
We tried contacts this year, and Andy definitely was NOT ready for that. I'm worried it traumatized him and now he'll never try them.
He continues to be very smart and do very well in school. He's extremely bright.
Andy has a good heart and is so sweet to Davis. He and Max still drive each other crazy sometimes, but they're also really good buddies. Andy complains about sharing a room with Max, but I think he would miss it a lot. We love our Andy--it's such a joy to watch him mature and grow up.