Happy Birthday Boy

Dear Boy,

Today is your 8th birthday. Eight! I know I say this every year, but I really, truly, have no idea where the time goes. Your eighth year on the planet has been a good one, sweet boy. A very good year indeed.



You’re in Grade 2 now, and things seem to be going along swimmingly. You’re still soaking up French like a sponge, which has made it impossible for your dad and me to talk about you while you’re around. I suppose it’s rude for us to be doing that anyway. Homework has been far easier this year than last, for which I am very grateful. You seem to be more patient this year with yourself, which has made it easier for me to be patient with you. Your writing skills have flourished. Sometimes when we’ve had a disagreement and you’ve been sent to your room you’ll wander out a little while later and hand me an apology note. You never cease to amaze me with your grammar, your choice of words and your sweetness. You make it easy to forgive and forget, and when you apologize, you are very sincere.

You’re moving on from some of your little boy things…you recently weeded your toy box of things you no longer played with, and Buzz Lightyear was at the top of the pile. I’ll confess that it makes me a little sad to see that Buzz no longer holds such an important place in your heart, not because I’ll miss him myself, but because it means you’re growing up. You also decided that character underwear is no longer cool, and have opted for generic boxers over Power Ranger briefs. You haven’t let go of all of your old-time favourites, though…you still let me put a mushy love note in your lunch box every day, and you still go to bed every night with your favourite Buddy and Blanket. I promise not to tell.



You experienced some new things this year. We took a short summer vacation, and you had a blast. Every once in awhile, from out of nowhere you’ll say: “Remember that time we went to the Super 8 and spent the WHOLE DAY on the water slide???” Who needs Disney when you have the Super 8? I had a great time with you too and I’m looking forward to a new adventure in the summer of 2009.



You also took on a new activity this year: tae kwon do. You started in August and Daddy started shortly after you did. You have youth on your side when it comes to remembering your forms, and you have both come a long way since you started. I’ve watched your self-confidence blossom and I’ve been very impressed by your respect and understanding of the rules and customs of tae kwon do. You got your green belt just before your birthday and you are very proud of yourself. You’re not the only one who’s proud.



Something that is not new this year is how sweet you are with your little sister. You have been an awesome big brother since day one, and that hasn’t changed as she has aged and been more interested in your toys, and your activities and just you in general. You greet each other with a hug in the morning and make sure to give each other a good night kiss each night. Recently our whole family auditioned for a commercial. You were so excited and nervous that your mouth didn’t stop, and they thought you were very cute. The casting people had trouble deciding, so they asked Daddy and your sister for a call-back a couple of days later. When I broke the news to you that you and I had not been picked you looked heartbroken. I asked you if you were disappointed and you said, “Yeah…a little. But I’m really happy for Sister though!” I knew you were more than just a little disappointed, but you put on a brave face. As it turned out only Daddy got the commercial. Maybe next time.

You’ve had another exciting year full of new experiences and new friends. You’ve made some really great pals at school and at daycare and I hope to see more of these kids in the coming years. You’re an easy boy to like, and I think your friends would agree with that. May your next year be as happy and healthy as your last one.

Love and hugs,

Mom

When I started using the Internet I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

It was 1994 and I was at library school (yes, we really call it that). The browser of choice was Mosaic and it took fo-evah to load a page. You couldn't move to the next page until the previous one had finished loading. Needless to say it took a lot of patience to finally get to the Friends drinking game, but it was worth it to learn that you're supposed to chug every time they mentioned Ugly Naked Guy. And then the was the MUD I played, although the name of the one I played escapes me at the moment. I spent a lot of time there. Seems like a zillion years ago.

Why I gave up on "A Fine Balance"

This is one of those books that I feel obligated to read, like I'm not doing my duty as a librarian and as a Canadian if I haven't read it. It's a guilt book, which is why I can't bring myself to give it away until I've read it.

I started reading it after I had children and since the birth of my first child I haven't been able to read more than 10 pages at a time without falling asleep. This book is too densely written for me to read in 4-page chunks every couple of days without feeling like I have to start all over again. Combine that with my horrendous memory for plots and characters and it's a recipe for an unfinished book. To finish it I'll need unfettered access to a huge chunk of time and a boatload of caffeine.

If I had easy access to a helicopter, I'd fly to the Gulf of Mexico this weekend

I don't care exactly where we go...we'll just fly south until it's hot enough to be outside in a bathing suit. Because it's cold here, very cold and snowy, and while I choose to live here, and there are lots of reasons to love it, the cold and snow and slush are not among them.