DJ turns 14!

Happy birthday, DJ! This has been a year full of growth (literally - it seems like he grows an inch a week) and some shifting interests and priorities. We noticed it when we went to Florida - how all of a sudden his relationship with his older sisters is deepening and and they seem to get each other - though he's still the best video game and sports buddy for Eddie and Mary.

All in all, he's had a great year. DJ still loves all things sports and plays soccer, basketball, and baseball. He's still great with stats and can answer just about every question I have. He has gotten more interested in fishing and took a couple of hunting trips with Kevin this fall. This year he's enjoying staying late after school until practice so he can hang out with his friends. Somewhat surprisingly, he's also picked up a love for music and can usually be found at home practicing guitar. He even led some sisters and cousins in performing a Noah Kahan song at our annual Wacyk Christmas Musical Revue!

On his birthday this year, we were still celebrating Christmas so he got to wake up with all his cousins at their annual sleepover then head to Alex and Sarah's to celebrate with John. But he got to have two cakes, three rounds of "Happy Birthday," and watch a lot of football, so all in all I assume it was a good day. I'm definitely still learning how to parent a teenage boy, but it's really fun and I just can't get enough of his deep thinking and sense of humor. He's growing in leadership and responsibility and learning new things every day. The next year will be a full one - starting high school, driver's training, etc. - but I anticipate a good one. 

Baseball tournament champions

DJ's first broken finger

Didn't stop him from playing soccer, but don't tell his doctor

As ONE of the tallest children (as Annie pointed out), this is a good job for DJ

Learning how to change guitar strings with Papa John

How would you describe yourself  as this point in your life in three words (or phrases)?

Athletic, clever, tall.

What's an area of your life that you think you've grown in most this year?

Discipline, not slacking in working out. I don't chicken out.

If you had a full day to do whatever you want...what would you do?

Go to a Tigers or Lions game, eat Panda Express, stay at a hotel or someplace with a pool, and go to an amusement part with roller coasters.

If we had a long weekend and you got to plan a trip for us, where would we go and what would we do?

Maybe Petoskey during March Madness so we can just hang out watching basketball. Or if it's the summer we can go swimming and tubing.

What careers are you considering?

Like a sports broadcaster, umpire or referee, or a doctor or dentist. Or a lawyer.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?   

I don't really have a favorite song, but I like two kinds of music primarily. Mumford and Sons and Noah Kahan is one type and then I like Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen.

What's your favorite food?

Chicken pot pie, deviled eggs, Panda Express, and Taco Bell.

Current favorite movie or TV show?

The Office and sports talk shows like SportsCenter.

Current book(s) you're reading?

Gone by Michael Grant. It's the book Grandpa John got me for Christmas.

What was the best part of your birthday?

Probably spending the night at Grandma's and then going to our cousins' house. My favorite present was Madden?