The Mindful Homeschool

Today was my 8 yo’s birthday.  We started the day with coffee cake and ended the day with chocolate birthday cake!  We went shopping, ate yummy food, told stories about what W was like when he was little, and swam and “hot-tubbed” at our local health club.  He and his big sister played with his K’nex toys and made some impressive structures, most notably, a big Ferris wheel.  They are planning to do more of the same with the K’nex tomorrow. 

W, my precious 8 yo, expressed how much he was enjoying his day and what I have done for him.  What a grateful kid!  It’s funny because he didn’t receive any lavish presents or lots of birthday wishes from relatives.  As a matter of fact, he received one birthday card in the mail - from his dear aunt.  But he didn’t seem to notice what he might be lacking.  I, on the other hand, worried.  My parents are deceased and he never got to meet them and my dh’s parents live an hour and a half away so he doesn’t have a lot of people doting on him on his special day.  And his best buddy is no longer friends with him (due to some inappropriate behavior we found out about this past summer).  So, of course, I worry.  I worry that he doesn’t have “enough” of whatever it is that makes a child/person happy.  But he was okay.  He knows that we will be celebrating more this weekend with him.  (Usually dh is able to take a vacation day on W’s birthday but not this year.)  And he knows that we will be throwing a big birthday party for him with the cousins and other relatives next week. 

But my little guy, the boy who used to wear colorful, floral dresses just like his beloved sister when he was a toddler, has grown up into a very nice, young boy.  He is smart.  He is sweet.  He is grateful.  And he is loved.

Happy Birthday, W!  When you get a little bit older, we plan to show your friends all those adorable photos of you in the pretty red dress.  You have always looked up to your big sister but pretty soon, based on your growth charts, she is going to be looking up to you!

Luv ya!  XXOOXXOOXXOOXX!