Our first teenager_ Happy 13th Birthday Coop

 This year I'm going to attack this entry a different way. Each big moment has a title and a little blub about my thoughts on it. There is nothing that you do that doesn't make me immensely proud. From giving NRL another go, to jumping on a plane completely solo to Cairns and all your amazing accomplishments at high school, you make my life so worth while and I think you are growing into the most amazing man. 

Puberty: Look I'll be honest, there really haven't been that many teenage blow ups, but you have stepped right on the puberty train. The boys will often comment about the physical changes in your body which you always reply "its normal, one day it'll happen to you too". You are close to 164cm. This time next year you'll tower over me. Your shoulders are broad but you still have a slight boyish look to your grin.

Sport: In the past 12 months you really shone with your Hockey, you trialed for the u14s ACT school Hockey side and made shadow for the team.  We travelled up to Tamworth for NSW State Titles for Hockey and you had a really cracking competition, coming away 4th. You took out most improved for your Wests team after narrowly missing out on winning the grand final for a second year in a row, going down to Central again. It was your second year of AFL and you really came into your own. As one of the bigger kids you put your body on the line each game winning Runners up best and fairest  this year. Never letting anyone tell you what you cant do, you even joined the Yass girls at the Young Cherry Festival netball Gala weekend, wearing your tie-dyed tee shirt and having the best time playing with Zoe and Bronte and Abby. Your final memorable sporting moment is your first season of touch footy. I'm not sure why you thought you should give it a go but in the summer of 23/24 you played socially to try to make friends before you started High School. From there you backed yourself to try out for the Representative team and found yourself travelling to carnivals with a great bunch of boys.

The unholy trinity  (You, Liam & Lewis) at Graduation

Your year 6 graduation: Boy did I cry. I cried for the weeks leading into it, the day, the night and then for a few days afterward. I was not expecting to be so emotional about it, I think it was a culmination of being glad to be done with St Matts, feeling like I was going to be losing my solid mum friendships and nerves for you leaving the security of your friends for the unknown of Yass High School.

Girls: While you and Bronte managed to stay really good friends (almost best friends I'd say), towards the end of 2023 you and Abby McEvoy decided to "go steady". You spent a lot of the summer together and I get the sense you really liked her so it hurt when she broke up with you a text message. From there you really had quite the string of short relationships.

Your first solo flight to Cairns for a week camping with Paxton: What an amazing experience this was for you. In Sept 2023 I drove you to Sydney and popped you on a plane direct to Cairns, you literally didnt even bat and eye. Through the doors you went onto that plan and up to camp, hike and explore Cairns with the Cordwells. They took you back up through the Daintree on the skyrail, took on the BIG FISHY speed boat and headed off camping where you had the time of your life! I felt like when you returned home and I picked you up again from the airport you'd grown so much emotionally. You had this new twinkle in your eye, like you knew the world was now at your feet.

A phone: ugh, this one i'm not proud of. I wish I could have been a stronger parent and said no, but how could I? You were starting a new school where you would have been immediately outcaste for not being connected. You spend entirely way too long doom scrolling that thing. I have stood firm on tik tok but caved on snap chat.... dont ask my logic, i dont know why, I guess one brain numbing platform is enough and Snap chat is the only way your friends communicate plans. 

High School: Like a duck to water. you have nailed stepping into highschool. You've found a great bunch of friends, work hard to achieve good marks and so far not a single phone call from the school about you jumping in class (if you know you know). You even, made it through (surprising yourself and me) to Regional XC. So far it's been a breeze. 

So here's to your 13th year mate. Keep smiling, keep talking to me and keep being you, because you're pretty freaking amazing!

Best Mates: Liam Carter, Travis Rattenbury, Bronte Brown, Lachlan Griffiths. Lewis Kelsey.
Shoe Size: 11
All your adult teeth
Weight: 41kg
Height: 164cm

High School Photo

Last day Primary School

Fav Song: Give it Away - Red Hot Chilli Peppers Fav Book: Hunger Games Fav Movie: Grown ups 2 Food: Nachos Favoutite subject at school: Maths and History You play: AFL, Hockey, Touch Footy, Rugby League You love: Camping, swimming, video games, fishing and hanging out with mates