tj turns 8

has it really been only a year since we last celebrated a tj birthday? this kid is growing, or should i say, maturing at a very rapid rate. he is wise well beyond his years. and not just in a smarty-pants academic way, but in a genuine understanding of the world around him and the people in it. he is an observer. he pays attention and he catches the slightest details. in fact, often times he pays attention to multiple things. i don't think there are many things that get past his keen senses. he rarely comments on what he notes but when he does i'm usually amazed by all he captures. in fact, he often catches my mistakes and helps keep me on track. i don't know how we would get by without him. truly, he has saved more than one of our lives, just in the last few weeks. twice, he has stopped brothers from walking in to the street as a car was approaching. and i love the gentle way he does this. he doesn't panic or yell, instead he quickly puts his arm up to blockade his brother and protect him from harms way. he is a natural protector. he has the best interest of his friends and family in mind. he is just about as sweet as they come. he has a heart of pure gold. and he's got me wrapped around his finger. his tender thoughtful ways are usually the highlight of my days. tj is a friend to all. i don't think there's ever been a person that didn't either like or love tj. he's just so lovable.

tj is the most mild mannered of the watkins team. he is pretty easy going, a natural peace maker, an introvert, and an all around chill guy. he is rarely phased by things and just goes with the flow. except when it comes to sports, let me clarify, except when it comes to sports that involve his brothers. he is very passionate and very competitive about his sports when he feels comfortable enough to let his emotions out. the only times he ever acts out, and i mean ever, are when he is playing madden or fifa or when he is playing soccer or football against his brothers. then my sweet little tj disappears and his hidden beast emerges. i love that he has a passion that he feels so strongly about. and i love that he can control himself 99.99% of the time. 

tj is on it. he is responsible and capable and just so well put together. i worry so much about my boys. constantly. but i worry the least about my tij. he just seems to handle life so well. i've found that i can truly trust him in most situations. and when there is a situation that is too tough for him to handle on his own, he seems to know just when and how to reach out for help. what more could a mother hope for? how about snuggles? tj is my snuggle bug. and i love soaking up all his hugs. especially at school. every day when we get to school his brothers rush out of the car and take off to their classes. not tj. he patiently waits for me to gather my things. then we walk hand in hand through the parking lot and down the first sidewalk. as we begin to approach the student population he lets go of my hand but he walks me all the way to the office. and no matter how late we are, he always gives me a little hug. then he waits for me outside of his class so that after i check in to the office we can share another little hug on my walk to my class. i tend to sneak over to his table during lunch and snag one more hug if i get a chance. and if i'm really lucky i will pass him at some point during the day and i will get a big hold you close hug. these moments fuel me through even the toughest of days.

tj loves sports. mostly soccer and football, depending on the time of the year. up until recently there wasn't anything in his life that tj loved anywhere near as much as he loves sports. then he discovered fortnite. it's his current obsession. he loves fortnite so much he opted for a fortnite party. he planned out the details and i put it together (in less than 48 hours, i might add).

we picked our favorite little known & rarely used park. it is a beautiful spot in wailuku heights with the most incredible views of the whole island. we gathered boxes & wood pallets & set up forts around the park. each fort was labeled with a different fortnight location (tomato town, loot landing, etc.) we had a full battle royal with squads, pvp, and duos. there was a supply drop (complete with guns, bullets, v bucks, safety googles, and maps), med kits, bandaids, chug jugs, bombs, v bucks, fortnite style axes, and even a storm. we had a llama piñata and a treasure chest piñata. tj insisted on having the same cake from fortnite, i tried. the boys battled and had a little dance off. it was hilarious.

his auntie stina gifted him a skull trooper mask and he wore it all day. like, even to bed. tj loves a good disguise. tj is pretty lucky to have such a solid group of guys in his life. and we are pretty lucky to have him. happy birthday, tij! we love you so!!

1.  tj's best friend: kaimana
2.  tj's name: todd edward junior watkins
3.  tj prefers to go by: t.j.
4.  tj's favorite animals: llama
5.  what does tj want to be when he grows up: a football player and a fortnite youtuber
6.  tj's favorite movie: nfl football

7.  tj's favorite song: "natural" by imagine dragons

8.  what makes tj happy? playing football and fortnite

9.  what makes tj sad? going to school
10.  tj's favorite food:  five layer burritos and crunchy tacos at taco bell
11.  tj's favorite place: target
12.  tj's favorite color: really, really light blue
13.  tj's favorite game: football
14.  tj's #1 wish right now: "that i can be a football player when i grown up & play wide receiver for the LA Rams. i want to be #19, like big Todd."