Schroeder is 17!

Schroeder turned 17! He celebrated by taking three friends to a Pacers vs Lakers game, and we splurged on tickets for him and his siblings to see Bruno Mars in September. I like facilitating memorable sibling moments even if they will be up at the top of the stadium. 

He is moving rapidly through these last two years of high school full of big projects, college prep, and high school rites of passage. He joined the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. He made some money ref-ing little league soccer and just got a job as a lifeguard at the IU Indy Natatorium. He was excited with his first round SAT scores.

A week before his birthday, he got his license. We were running a little late to the appointment so I simultaneously yelled at him to drive faster while lecturing him to go slow during his driving test. One of his first solo drives was taking the mini van to the prom. It was a full circle moment for me because my junior prom was also at the Egyptian Room. 

Sometimes I describe Schroeder to people as embodied. That used to be code for hyperactive. Now, it means he is aware that moving his body helps him regulate his mind. He likes having an after school activity which usually means a sport. He ran a sub 2 hour half marathon at the Indy Mini last year, and played as a floater for both the varsity soccer and volleyball teams. He won most improved on the boys’ swimming team after he unexpectedly dropped a lot of time on his 50 free. He has supportive coaches but not coaches that are critique his form so he turned to ChatGPT for advice. 

He actually missed half the swim season due to a concussion incurred at a volleyball open gym while Stephen and I were in Puerto Rico. It was our first time dealing with a concussion and there was a learning curve in getting him cleared to swim again. The first time he went to see the doctor, he told them he was only at 75%. The doctor told him to come back when he was feeling 100% and charged us $250 for the advice. Learning can be expensive.

Both Schroeder and I have received comments about how thoughtful he can be when having a conversation in a small group. People are surprised to find out that he is pretty mature in his approach to life and relationships. He is maybe less mature when watching sports, though. It’s been an exciting year for sports in Indiana. The Pacers went to game 7 in the NBA finals, the Colts had an unexpectedly good start to their season, and the Hoosiers won the college football National Championship. It’s mostly fun watching sports with Schroeder. He brings the energy with his trash talking, rocking in a corner during tense moments, and running down the street yelling after a big win. Sometimes, though, things become less fun when he is hate-watching Arsenal or complaining that commentators are glazing SGA (even if they are). 

Excited to see what this last year of childhood has in store for our middle baby! Happy 17th birthday, Schroe.