Duke is EIGHT and for once i can believe it! he keeps up so much with his brother and he was READY to get to this point. He’s one of a kind and just our Duke through and through. You bring us so much joy with all your questions, fiestiness, and competitive ways.

Sleeping wise Duke wakes up with his brother around 7 when they are allowed to come out. but man this summer we have worn him out so much that he has slept in past that many many times. he is the type of kid who has a million things in his bed and i don’t even know what is all up there. he has a collage of all his favorite things on his wall above him. he loves to read in bed, is always wearing his fluffy suit jammies, likes his nebula on, and loves the option to have Wyatt sleep in his bed or sleep in his bed. Bedtime is usually 8:30 during the school year and then in the summer its all over the place but somewhere between 9-10. Fave things these days are still green B everywhere around the house, wolfie and puppy.

Foodwise – Duke is still my cereal breakfast guy through and through. cant pry it out of his hands.he mainly wants that but does love waffles french toast cinnamon rolls and whatever else i make. Loves a yogurt cup, has really become less picky tho sometimes he likes to be skeptical. alllways wants a snack but is happy with all the fruit and vegetables i suggest. Loves ice cream sandwiches, icees, pretty much everything. always wants breakfast for dinner, LOVES all meatballs with his whole life, loves a good burger or hawaiian burgers, loves picles, all the fresh garden produce, loves McDonalds and could easily eat a $6 meal himself.

School the kid is thriving and it comes so easily for him, i think the only thing there is hes a rusher like his mom and dad and wants to be the first one done. he loves PE, tho not running the track, loves all his buddies and he has a class of lots of boys, Math and reading he is very very good at, loves grammy’s lunches and i think he eats them well. loves all the kids in other grades he gets to see and who pour into him.

kid loves sports so stinking much and def drops a few tears because of it and his want to win. he is always over thinking everything ahead of time and after breaking down the game. He played flag football for his first year and he was beyond obsessed. he works hard even if he isn’t the best at every part of it. He got to play Osky basketball club again def made some huge strides and is very good at taking the ball down the court and shooting and knowing what is going on. he did great at his scrimmages and the game comes naturally. He had is last year of Rookies and man kid can hit the ball off the machine! he knows what’s going on in the field, knows who the best kids on the team are and who he can trust. can catch the ball well and was so sad when the season was over. golf – he’s a hacker and its hilarious because he wants to be good and hit the ball hard but he refuses to listen to his mom and swing the club slow to be able to do that.

Duke is such a hoot the things that come out of his mouth always shock us and Kyle and we are always texting what he is saying. the questions that come out of his mouth everyday blow our mind – and they never never stop. his brain is moving at all times and you can just see it on his face. he has become absolutely star wars obsessed and wants to figure everything out about it. he reads books upon books and knows everything… before he even has seen the movies which is hilarious. we finally let him start watching the movies this summer and yes he has just become obsessed with all things star wars. Legos are still an absolute fave and he’s making something on their table every single day. kid LOVES a kit too and will make something and barely come up for air. Kid rides the 4 wheeler or dirtbike or go-kart every single day when mom is on her walk. he loves doing jumps and burnouts, loves to drive the ranger if we let him. Loves the trampoline, loves our cattle tank pool, loves going to the public pool and is getting better about putting his head under the water. Wyatt and him are still best friends and it is such a wonderful things and the games and playing they come up with. Best buddies are Clay Logan and Jaron, loves Nolan Simms who we met through ball this year, all the girls in his class love him. We wont forget you breaking your arm at recess during 1st grade falling off the monkey bars. you took it all like a champ and weren’t a wimp at all and took the set well, were your crazy self again that night, lost a tooth the same day, and LOVED all the attention and gifts from breaking it. we don’t let them watch much tv but they usually just want to watch a movie or something star wars show, still like wild Kratt’s tho, loves to play anything with his dad like catch or hoops or throw the football downstairs with his dad and he wouldn’t ever stop if that was okay. Loves riding his bike and all the scooters, very good at biking the trail and leading the pack. Loves an obstacle course, agility and watching mom lift. Loves his younger siblings too and is a great help and loves to play house with Betsey, play with Faye, and take care of Boone and play with him. Still a 2nd child through and through. loves learning about the bible and knows his bible verses and Christian songs so well. loves Josiah queen music and he usually heard about new songs at school and would tell me. You bring us so much joy. we will love you forever Duke Mitchell what I gift we will never forget that you are.