Wine & Shiny Things, Lost -N- Found.....

I almost missed being random today.

I know!  Can you believe it?

I was distracted by shiny things again!

Especially this shiny thing...

Yup!  Frisky V thinks I'm a shiny Turkey! But I'll post more about that later this week...

Until then, head on over to Keely's for some Random Tuesday!



Onward to randomness!

I've been drinking a lot of wine lately.  Okay, a lot for me.  I don't drink, like hardly ever.  So a lot for me is a glass a week.  Almost Hubs and I are trying to find a wine for the wedding.  The only wine I've ever liked I had in Rome.  It was a house wine, sweet and sparking red, and I've never found anything like it.  But after several tries, I've found close... Piemonte Brachetto.

Maybe it's the raspberry sorbet, or the strawberries, either way it's like grape soda that leaves you warm and fuzzy.  Perfect for the cold that's setting in now that it's basically December.

So the kids are all a buzz over Christmas.  And why wouldn't they be... it's Christmas.  I put away the bah humbug attitude I've had lately and put up the tree.  It is nice to see it in the window as we come home.  I have it on a timer, so as to add to the "magic" of the season. Oooo!

Youngest:  "I think I'll ask for a remote control helicopter for Christmas"

Almost Hubs: "You already have a helicopter"

Youngest: "Yeah, but then I'll have options."

I don't have the heart to tell him he's not getting another helicopter for Christmas.  Not from me anyway.  My shopping is done, I'm in returning mode already.  I have already ruined two of my gifts this year which is a bummer.

Me: "I found my necklace in the washer, I must have lost it in my shirt, but I lost the dolphin charm that the kids gave me for Mother's day"
Almost Hubs: "You lost the dolphins?"
Me: "Yeah, I'll find it I'm sure but I'm kind of bummed."
(repeated all night long) Almost Hubs: "I can't believe you lost the dolphins"
Me: "Um Yeah, Okay, I feel bad enough about it."
Almost Hubs: "No, you don't get it, the boys were gonna get you the matching earrings for Christmas."
....Two days later I find the charm....
Me: "Guess what I found?"
Almost Hubs: "You know nothing about Christmas gift intentions K?"
Me: " I know nothing...got it."

I can't post about the other surprise I ruined because Almost Hubs will figure out what he's getting and then Christmas will be an epic failure for all of us. Epic.  Really.

I had the day off today.  I moved my orthodontist appointment to 9am and got the first of many new wires put on.  I went with the colored elastics, candy cane red and white, because I'm cool like that.  I did everything else I wanted to before 10:30 am which left me the rest of the day to go to a late breakfast with my friend Li and get into trouble.  But, to be honest, we're both over 30. So, our trouble involves a trip to Home Depot and some home demolition.

I did manage to fix the motion sensor light over the garage.  Now everytime the wind blows the thing turns on and I think I'm being stalked by Ebinezer Scrooge.  Or Zombies. 

Inside the house however, it seems I'm being stalked by Almost Hubs, who wants to come to bed for the first night ever, before 9 pm.  So I guess that's my cue to get off the laptop.

Until next time my friends...

I May Need Medication....



Image from  Here!

 I think I may have adult ADD.

Seriously.

Yesterday, while making pancakes, I was thinking that I could get the Christmas stuff out of the attic when I was done. 

Then the kids came in and ate all the pancakes. So before I made more, I got the tree and all the Christmas fixin's out of the attic. 

While I was up there, I spotted the fabric for the throw pillows I intended to make 6 months ago.  And since the sewing machine was still out, I brought that down too.

Then I made pancakes, and since I was eating all alone, I noticed my pocketbook on the coat rack and thought I should locate some receipts for returns I could do later this week.

Between bites, going through my purse, I found the brown thread I needed to finish fixing the zipper on a coat. So,  I took the thread and the coat, put it near the sewing machine, along with the throw pillows and the fabric from the attic.

When I cleared my dish from breakfast, I washed the double grill pan I had used to make the pancakes. Then, I noticed  the dishwasher needed to be unloaded.  While unloading the dishes, I noticed that several of my handles were loose on the cabinets.  So, I got out the screwdriver. 

In putting away the screwdriver, I saw the timer plug I needed for the Christmas tree.  So, I went into the living room and set up the tree complete with lights.  When we started hanging ornaments, I noticed that some were broken so I got out the hot glue gun.

Since the glue was already hot, the boys then brought me several toys to fix.  While I was fixing, the boys finished the tree. We were all feeling quite festive, so I decided to make some hot cocoa.  Upon returning to the kitchen, I saw the sewing machine, and decided to work on the zipper.... which led to the throw pillows.  The empty grocery bag that once held the fabric quickly became the next greatest thing for the cat to tackle and chew on.  Which led me to think that he was hungry.

So, I fed the cat.  Then noticed I was cold and went to turn up the heat.  Thinking we must be low on propane, I ran out to check the tank.  And while I was out there, I took out the trash. 

When I returned to the sewing machine, there was thread all over the floor.  I had to hunt down my broom and dustpan, which were of course, in the laundry room... and well, then I had to throw in a load of laundry.

And this was all before 11am.

Seriously.

I'm a good multi task-er.  At least, that's what they called it way back then.

Today it's called ADD.

And they prescribe medication for that. 

But I'm afraid that if I start popping pills, nothing will ever get done.

Clearly, those who love me have learned to live with my disability.  Some have even used it to their advantage.

Becasue let's not forget, when Almost Hubs asked me to marry him,

He distracted me with something shiny.

But I'll forgive him... until...oh... LOOK!

a chicken!

To Shop, Or Not To Shop...

OK, so I didn't get to stay in bed this morning. 

Wish I could have, but I had to work. 

The mail stops for no one. Joy. 

And you'd think after 20 years in retail I would know better than to go anywhere near the mall when I got out of work.

But you'd be wrong.

I did however, take a different approach this year.

I brought in a small amount of  gifts from a multitude of old boyfriends mismatched earrings, bands from our practice weddings rings, and belly button piercings trendy jewelry from when I was younger, and sold it at the Cash For Gold place.

I walked away with $133 dollars.

So on Black Friday, I actually was leaving the mall with more money than what I came in with.

Until I past the jewelers.....

.....and decided to pick up our wedding rings.

I saved $320.

I didn't even have to bust out my karate ninja moves.

Which was kind of a bummer, because I've got mad skills.

My Bathroom Stinks...

This is my bathroom... 

It stinks. 

Literally. 

At first, I thought this was the product of mostly male usage.

What?  Oh Shut Up!  We all know no man has 100% accuracy.  

Anyway,

No matter how often I cleaned it, it would still stink. Luckily,  the internet has not perfected cyber smell, so I thought it'd be safe to share this with you all. 

Try to control your excitement.

First, my house was built in 1946,  which makes it over 70 years old.  We are pretty sure most of the bones of the bathroom are original.  When I moved in 6 years ago, I didn't even have a shower head.  Just a tub.  That was first priority, the toilet was second priority, as I insist on having a new pot to pee in every place I live.  Just another one of my many quirks to love.  The wall tile is actually peach.  Peach.  I painted it white a while back to give it a more cohesive look.  I failed miserably.  The vanity is home made, which again, I painted since the original color resembled Budweiser puke.  The sink is OK, but doesn't drain well, and the drain has so many cracks at the base that it needs to be cleaned everyday to avoid getting funked up and also smelling.  The line in the ceiling is where it's falling down.  Falling down people. Really, I have nightmares about sitting there minding my own "business" and being knocked unconscious.  There is also a giant patch over a hole near the fan.  That's a long story, as is the giant hole in the wall that the mirror is covering.  The shower's so bad that I won't even post a picture of it.   But I will tell you that the shower rod is actually plumbing pipe.  The tile on the floor is yellow, white, and cream, which wouldn't be so bad had the grout not been black.  And, the heating vent in the floor, isn't connected to anything.  So basically if the bathroom floods, it's all ending up in the basement.

So like I said, it was high time for some updating. 

That picture was the bathroom the Sunday before we left for Washington DC.  Almost Hubs was going to start with the vanity on Monday, but like all projects, I jumped the gun.  Sunday night I started to pull up the floor tile to see if we needed to replace the sub floor.  We did.  Evidently, the smell from the toilet area was more an issue of bad drainage than bad aim.  Seems water's been leaking behind the toilet and puddling under the tiles for some time.

Gross.

I mean, I would have thrown up had we had another bathroom to use kind of gross.  So after triple bagging all the tile and grout I had pulled up, actually it fell apart in my hands like puzzle pieces, I sterilized my hands and called Almost Hubs in horror.  He promised to love me no matter what he found on Monday behind the shower. ....shudder...

On Monday I went to work.  I came home and my bathroom looked like this...

Hubs removed all the tile and drywall, two layers of floor and sub floor, and some of the door casing.  On Tuesday night, we decided to tackle the ceiling.  This would be easy right? Wrong.  Three layers of ceiling and various artifacts removed from the insulation later, I went to bed and my bathroom looked like this....

By Wednesday night this was what was left of my bathroom....

Pretty right?  But what was even better was that we left at 4am on Thursday morning.  While we were gone, my Uncle came over and began working his magic.  We came home to this...

New tile on the floor that is level, and not smelly.  A new hy-line toilet that is two inches taller and has an elongated bowl so the boys can ensure better aim. And, real drywall.  Not the play dough yuck that was there before.  The hole in the floor that was once a heating vent is now gone, the fan is finally working properly since it is affixed to only one layer of ceiling, and my plumbing and electrical are secure in the walls.  Finally. And the best part?  The gaping hole from the bathroom into my bedroom closet is now gone.  No more peep show for the dust bunnies.

Next step is to finish off the drywall so the sink can go in.  For now, I'm just so excited that when I clean the bathroom it will actually be clean.  Until then, I can live with brushing my teeth at the kitchen sink.

I'll keep you posted...

Thankful...

 HURSDAY OFF
TO SPEND
WITH FAMILY...









APPINESS

LMOST HUBBY










IECES AND NEPHEWS

IDS, HAPPY AND HEALTHY
                                (THAT DID THIS FOR ME)




AMILY
  AND
RIENDS 

NLIMITED
PATIENCE

OVE

Back To Basics...

Well, it's been quite hectic here lately.

It's been so hectic that I couldn't even post it all.

Today was my first day off from work and life in I can't remember how long.  Oh wait, I can remember... my last day when I had nothing to do was this day. in October.

Today I thought I'd get back to basics.  Clean, sleep in, bake cookies, maybe take the kids to the movies.  Not necessarily in that order.  So when I did get up, and attempted to get in the shower, I was abruptly interrupted by the joyous sounds of fighting children.

Me:  "That's it! we're not doing anything fun today.  I wanted to go to the movies today, but forget it"
Oldest: "No, I'll stop.  I promise.  Give me a second chance."
Me: "I've given you three already."
Oldest: "Come on Ma, fourth times a charm."

A charm, indeed.

We didn't go to the movies.  We did go twice to the dump (I had to finish getting rid of the old bathroom remains...the post is coming, I promise.) and to the mall.  Seems the oldest needs pants.  He has two pairs that fit.  Youngest wanted a cool shirt and feety pajamas with skulls all over them.  I managed to pick up two more things for Almost Hubs for Christmas, as he's the last one on my list. Don't bother searching the house Honey, they're already wrapped.  Upon returning home, seems Oldest still has two pairs of pants, since he's gone from a size 8 to a 12 in like two weeks.  I have to be at the mall later this week anyway to pick up the wedding rings, so I'll exchange them then. Easy Peasy.

We came home and quickly got engrossed in ABC Family's Christmas movies. Made popcorn, these killer peanut butter cookies with Reese's Pieces and Hersey's dark M&M's.  Thanks again Portia! Yum!

I listed 40 books on Amazon, and another 10 on EBay.  I fixed some zippers for my friend Li, a project from the summer that I'm just getting to now. Oops.

At 730 ish Youngest came to me and gave me a big hug.

"I had a great day today Momma."
"Me too Bud."
"Now it's time for bed"

Well okay then.  I love it when he puts himself to bed.  Oldest stayed up and snuggled with me on the Lazy Girl recliner and finished up the movie.  I love that he's still not too old to snuggle.

I've missed these lazy days with my boys. 

I miss Almost Hubs when he's not here, but until he moves in, I'm enjoying these rare days of just me and my minions.

Going Postal....

If you are one of my lovely customers who leave cards, cookies, chocolate, scratch tickets, or Dunkin' Donuts gift cards labeled "Weekend Warrior", this letter is not for you. Go back to your happy lives in your cozy houses, I love you all. You Rock.


Dear Postal Customer,

I am writing this becasue it is that time of year again.  That time of year when the snow flies, the packages are 'a plenty, and I bring merriment to every street, one box at a time.  The dance is always the same.  For a brief 30 days I will bring you catalogs of all kinds. You will get your Pottery Barns and your LL Beans, along with your lesser received catalogs of  Just Socks, and Where On Earth? Once the mail order mafia has confirmed that you've ordered from these catalogs, every non profit will send you their mailings,  along with your newly purchased treasures.  Then, when the companies realize they are still not making their sales plans, they will send out more catalogs, thus resulting in more non-profits and more packages, all on top of festive holiday cards.  Trust me when I say, you don't have to complain about the volume of mail you're receiving this time of year, as we have all complained sufficiently while still in the office sorting it. Please  clean out your box every day so we can bring you an endless supply of holiday joy without cramming it into what ever space is left in your suddenly way too small box.

Inevitably, we will have a snow storm, or five, between now and "C" day.  Please, for the love of all merriment, shovel.  Shovel out your boxes, your walkways, your doorsteps.  Please, shovel an extra little area for the dog, so I don't have to dodge the "Christmas balls" left in your walkways.  Please do not call and complain that I didn't deliver your package when you didn't shovel.  Frostbite sets in quickly when you're out in wet clothes for 5 hours a day, and as we've discussed before I need my legs and ankles.

Please, if you do not have a mail box at your home, do not send packages to your home address.  You pay good money for that PO Box, for holly's sake, use it.  When you do send it to your home address, do not call the office looking for it three weeks after it arrived at our Annex.  No irate caroling or festive name calling will make it suddenly reappear, nor will it prompt the elves to track it's whereabouts any faster.

Please do not write out your holiday cards in red ink.  Yes, they are beautiful.  Yes, I know you spent 2 months in that Calligraphy class painstakingly learning how to make the perfect "M" just for this occasion.  But the machines can't read red ink. This means I have to hand sort every card in the morning.  It also means it will take longer to get where it's going. If you stick a wax seal on the outside of the envelope it will most likely get there in several pieces as this also creates a bah humbug mess in the machines. And, for the Love of Chris Kringle, PLEASE use the correct postage.   It's 44 cents this year, last time I checked it's still a bargain. 

Lastly, you know those big blue collection boxes out side your local convenience stores and grocery shops? Yes, the ones marked US Mail?  They are for letters and small packages only.  Just becasue you can fit a half eaten banana in the slot does not mean it belongs there.  Unless the half eaten banana has postage.  This also goes for used Kleenex, coffee cups full or empty, or you first quarter report card, rest assured I will make sure it gets postage affixed and delivered c/o your parents promptly.  The proper receptacle for these items is usually located within 3 feet of the big blue box.  I'm sure you can locate it, or find another joyous place to dispose of your treats.

And so ends my list of Holiday wishes for most joyous holiday season.  I will most likely write again when you  post-apocalyptic-holiday bills start arriving.  Thanks for your time.

Wishing you mistletoe kisses,

Yup. It's My Job....

I am not afraid to hug and smooch in public,
rest assured you will not die of embarrassment.

I cook, clean, launder, and can identify mysterious objects
left in the lunch box for far too long.

I am able to ask a multitude of questions about your day,
and am content with one word answers. 

I keep up with the current trends on TV and gadgets,
an refuse to buy most of them.

I know which kids are cool, and the one who aren't.
I know which girl is just a friend, and the one who is not.

I can teach you the square root of pi,
And then make you one, with ice cream on the side.

I am practiced in the art of reverse psychology,
And unleash it on you, just so I don't have to pick up your socks.

I keep up with the times, I am smart, I am witty,
and yet, I am still a total dork.

Yes, that is me.
Mom to a ten year old.

Toilets, Pickled Heads, House Fires, and ONE Million Dollars!

I've lost track of the days again, but as I check in with my dashboard, I have the feeling that it's Tuesday. Or so says my three imaginary friends who also participate.  But, like the little sister I am, I decided to check with Mom first. Or, rather the Un-Mom.

Go ahead.  Check in with her yourself.  I double dog dare you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Is it wrong to really be this excited about my new toilet?  The one that doesn't rock.  Doesn't leak.  Doesn't smell no matter how many times I cleaned it. And, that is two inches taller than my old one?  Two inches people!  I can sit and swing my legs if I wanted to.  And, higher height with an elongated bowl means the boys don't miss the target as much.  Don't even get me started on my new curved shower curtain rod.  Best. Money. Spent. Ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of years ago I went to a customer's door for a signature required package.  He came to the door completely naked.  About a year later, looking for proof that the economy was indeed getting better, I went to his door again, and to my relief he was wearing boxers this time. Hallelujah!  I was so excited for him to finally have made his way into clothing!

And then today... his house burnt down.

I hope he had rental insurance, otherwise it's going to be a very cold, long, naked winter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found this in Walmart tonight....

.....for 75 cents (Did anyone else notice that there's no cents symbol on keyboard anymore?) I had to buy them.  There were only two left.  And really, who can resist a marshmallow peep "pickled" monster head. Nothing wins my boys over like heads in a jar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got sucked into this book while I was away.  Almost Hubs came home all giddy that Marianne had signed it for him (they live locally) and wanted me to read it.  He thought that with what I was going through with the youngest, I would really get something out of reading her story. 

One chapter in, I couldn't see what he was talking about.

Upon finishing the last chapter, all I could think was Damn.  I hate it when he's right.  Honestly, one of the better real life books I've read lately. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was our view from the hotel window at the crack of dawn on Friday Morning...

I know it's blurry, but you get the idea.  I love Double tree hotels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And one last thing...

Thought I'd share what 1 million dollars in $10's looks like...

Even the evil geniuses couldn't figure out how to abscond with it.

That's it for....

Until next week!

7 Days In The Life Of....

So glad to see that you all were amused by my son's antics.  That incident seems like a lifetime ago, and yet it's still so funny.  Anyway...  I'm sure you've been wondering what incredibly exciting things have kept me from logging in.  Aw come on.  You know you want to know.   Well, I'm telling you anyway. Life.  and a lot of it.  Some good stuff, some bad stuff, some wildly fun times, some times involving germs and green boogers.  I'll post more in depth as the days get less crazy, but here's a taste of last week at Casa dos Meninos...

Sunday:

Allowed my children to shoot their friends with laser beams. 
Because nothing screams "Tenth Birthday Party" more than random light beam violence.

Monday:



Made 28 Monster Cookies for my boy's classroom
to celebrate his big day on Tuesday.

 Tuesday:

Took my boy out for dinner to celebrate at his restaurant of choice.  Youngest son threw up all over the floor of Red Robin.  Good Times.  Good Times. I'll spare you the picture.

Wednesday:

Behold the entire contents of my only bathroom...
right down to the drywall.

Thursday:

Surprise!!
(At 4am)
Up, Up and Away!!

Friday:

Took a roll down a grassy hill....
behind the Washington Monument.

Saturday:

Hung out with the King...

Sunday:

Flew home with a what is now, I think, a raging sinus infection.  Came home to a functioning bathroom, that I believe, does not smell of black mold any longer. (See raging sinus infection above).  Did laundry, deleted 29 of 34 emails, made some grilled cheese, and finally stopped.

Funny thing about life. At some point, it all suddenly stops being crazy.  It calms down, and at some point you can stop running around like a lunatic. 

You can sit your butt in the Lazy-Girl recliner.

You can finish that book you've been trying to read.

You can drink tea. While it's still hot.

And, you can totally connect, without turning anything on.

So that's what I did today.

Because tomorrow, I will return to work,

Blink,

At it will be Thanksgiving.

And then the real crazy will start.

Never A Dull Moment...

"I am away from my computer right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you. 


Beeeeep..." 


And sadly, that joke only works on those of us old enough to remember answering machines.  Anyhow... never fear my faithful imaginary friends, I have prepared a post for you to enjoy in my absence.  Actually, I posted it back in March.  According to my stats, it is my most viewed post, yet it has only one comment. One.  So I'm re posting it for you all to enjoy...  or not.  Maybe that's why it's only had one comment. Regardless, I will return you to your regularly scheduled program when I return from the chaos that is my life, and finish delegating tasks to the voices in my head...

Today my cousin reported that her son had swallowed a Lego. Since this was her third child, it was more to report that it since it was the head of a Lego person, her son really did have a "head up his butt". And, while the newer Moms in the family were horrified, the rest of us freely recanted our best stories of all things stuck, swallowed, and lodged. All of us have stories of raisins up the nose, and small seashells in the ears. My youngest son once swallowed a penny and held onto it for 11 days. Several x-rays later, it did eventually come out, but he earned the nickname of "Human Piggy" and I swear that is why he's such a good saver to this day. But the grand prize still goes to my same son, who's name will never be mentioned, in the hopes of protecting his teenage years.


Super balls. One inch of rubbery goodness that bounces higher and faster than any substance should ever travel within a confined space. They come in all colors and styles, but the basic premise is the same. Super fast, super high, and way cool for a five year old. The challenge to living in a small house is where to use this awesome little toy that will not break a window or heirloom knickknack, and still be able to deliver an abundance of fun. So my son, always the thinker, came up with a plan. He was going to combine this toy with water and use it in the tub. A small enough space to ensure maximum ricochet, and with the added bonus of a splash down. Since my son knew how to swim he took baths on his own, with my checking on him every so often to ensure the soap was being utilised and rinsed properly.

 And the splash down began. There was rapid fire pinging all over the tub enclosure walls and eventually the "plunk' of it hitting the water. All and all, he was getting a great soak in the tub, his playing lasted over a half hour, and I checked on him several times to ensure he was fine. Eventually the splashdown stopped, he moved on to singing, and then yelling to tell me that it was time to get out. So in I came, towel in hand, but something was missing. The super ball. The little bright orange smiley faced ball was no where to be found and although he claimed to have no idea what happened to it, his face told a different story.



After much military grilling, he broke, telling he that he was pretending to be a chicken and then the ball was gone. Yup, you guessed it...he was pretending to lay an egg. But the "egg" had other ideas. Evidently when you combine soap, water, and a small enough super ball, without much effort, things can get stuck in areas other than just an ear or a nose. The question would be what to do about it. Then the phone calls started. At first, I think the nurses thought they were being punked. The night nurse found herself laughing while recanting the story back to me. After a few minutes of conversing over the best way to relay this to the on-call doctor for a consult, she eventually called back with a plan. The plan was to wait it "out".

And so we waited. The logic behind this is that if it went up easy, it should come out easy. The trick was that we weren't sure how far up it was lodged or, if it really was even there to begin with. It was rubber so an x-ray wouldn't show it's placement, and a laxative would more than likely hinder it's coming out. And so, we waited.....and waited....and waited. Morning came and I had to report to my boss why I would not be at work today. Thankfully, while this was a new one to him, he had had three boys and figured my tale was believable or, more likely, that I lacked the creativity to have made this up. Finally, shortly before noon, the waiting was over. The sweet voice from the bathroom announced that he had found the ball. And there, floating proudly in the bowl partially encased, was a perfectly positioned neon orange smiley face.

Super balls have now been banned in the bathrooms of everyone I know...

My Favorite Decade...

Ten years ago, I worked all the time.  I worked full time, in a cartoon themed environment.  Everyday I enjoyed the squeals of joy from children when they saw the video wall, the mountain of plush, or the space rocket they could play in.  I had free time away from work, and picked up a second job.  This time, I chose to work children who needed love. These children had had the worst of lives, and needed care in a 24 hour facility.  I worked overnights, holidays, nights, weekends, it didn't matter. I just loved being around the kids. But, oh, how I wanted a child of my very own. 

Then the news came that I was pregnant with you and my whole world changed.  I thought my world would slow down and get less crazy.  I was so wrong.



November 11, 2000
One hour old...



You began twirling around in my belly at 14 weeks, and you haven't stopped yet. 

Your first word was two syllables... but-ton.  And now, I can't get a syllable in edgewise.

You had a super Binky. 





Five pacifiers on one shower ring.  You didn't care what anyone said about it.  You were keeping them.  But one day you were just done, and gave them up all together. You were just ready.

You had a turtle.  You chewed on his feet.  I think, had the turtle not been "lost", you'd still have him.

You grew.

Oh my Oldest, how you grew.

 You grew into a logical, literal boy. 

You wanted to ride your bike without training wheels.  We took them off and put them back on. Over and over again.  Then one day, you just did it.  All. On. Your. Own.

You made friends, you lost friends,  you made new ones.

You found a passion for art.  You formed your own thoughts, your own ideas, you draw your own conclusions.

You loved to dress yourself, and now you have a style all your own.

You noticed girls.  Had your first crush, second crush, went back to your first crush, and then I lost track.

You discovered the hair on your legs and proclaimed you were "becoming a man".

You make me feel appreciated. You started helping around the house. Taking responsibility for things that were not yours.  Running the dish washer, cooking, laundry. 

You used to hold my hand at all times, and now you insist on walking yourself to the bus stop.

You used to have me read to you, the same books over and over.  Now, you read your own.

You used to love for me to be around.  Now, I just embarrass you.  But, I still hang around.

You used to think that your parents were invincible, now you see us for who we are, and love us anyway.





You used to snuggle.  You still snuggle.

The minute this posts, you will be two hands old.



Ten.

Some people say the 60's were the best.

Some say the 80's.

I say the best decade has been,

the one I've spent with you.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy.