Impossible. Part three.
It seems nearly impossible that we have an eight year old. Can it really be?
One who takes the initiative to pick up the phone and call up his great uncle all the way in Norway, whom he has never met but with whom he shares a birthdate, to wish him a happy birthday, too.
One who, when he sees you making lists and preparing for his upcoming birthday, produces a Fimo clay figurine of Harry Potter from his room that he made months ago with the idea of having it as a decoration on his cake.
One who spends the day counting down the hours and making decorations for his own party and (this just cracked me up) sitting with his brother like so for an inordinate part of the day, speculating as to what was inside these packages:
One who, when you ask him what he'd like for Christmas or his birthday, answers something like, "Oh. I don't know. It's too hard to decide. I'll be happy with anything. I'd rather be surprised."
Don't get me, or him rather, wrong. He's always been one to know what he wants. Believe me! He must have been born with his solid conscience and a sense of what is right and wrong, what is just and what is not. Yet he's always willing to listen to more than one side or take on things.
He may not have been the easiest baby (colic!) and, honestly, this past year, he was rather...hmmmm.....I'd rather not say "sullen" so let's say "quiet" instead. However, in the past weeks leading up to his birthday, we've been seeing him coming back into that easygoing, grinning child we've always known that he is.
It's all good, and all has it's little challenges, but I have this feeling eight is going to be a awfully fun year.
Cake, ice cream, hot cider and singing took place, by the way, outside in the cold darkness around the picnic table, in "The Great Hall", so that we could pretend that the stars weren't the real stars above but instead the enchanted ones, like at Hogwarts. A little convoluted, I know, and we forgot to explain that to the party goers, I think, so they were probably wondering why we made everyone bundle up and were dragged them out into the cold darkness. It sure made for some pretty tough picture-taking as well.
Download Pulsatilla_slavica_Ceskoslovensko.jpg" />
Happy Birth Day!
8 really is great.
Posted by: Lizz | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:09 AM
sounds like an awesome party! Happy Birthday :)
Posted by: TD wool design | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Oh! Happy Birthday - 8! Wow!
And what sweet words from the mama. ;)
Posted by: amanda | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Happy Birthday! My youngest will be turning 8 too, but not until summer. So funny about them dutifully sitting there, trying to guess what's in those prettily wrapped packages. Mine do the same thing except they use practically all their senses for deduction: smelling it, shaking it, listening to it...
Posted by: Ellen | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 06:11 AM
Happy Happy Birthday! The time goes by too fast doesn't it? Sound like a fun day.
Posted by: Senja | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Aw, happy birthday!
Posted by: Carrie | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Found your blog today through Sew, Mama,Sew and couldn't stop reading. Thank you for sharing!
Amy
Posted by: Amy | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Happy Birthday to the 8 year old!
So what was in the boxes?
I'm too impatient to wait.
Posted by: Elizabeth | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Awwww Happy Birthday to R!!! What a great blog post!! I cant believe he is 8 either! wow how time flies!! I hope his Bday was just as magical as he wished!
Posted by: Melissa | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Happy Birthday! It's always nice to hear about two-boy families and how wonderful they are. You're a few years ahead of me, so I feel like I get a sneak peek into my future.
Posted by: michelle | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Oh a lovely Happy Birthday to your eight year old. I have an eight year old too, it is indeed a wonderful age, they are becoming so wise.
Posted by: Rebecca | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Wish him Happy Birthday! I love the story of the days leading up to it. I love those days beforehand when the anticipation is so great... And that picture of the two brothers discussing the presents? Precious!!
Posted by: AMBER | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Happy Birthday!
My oldes turns 8 soon too ;)
Posted by: Hege | Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Kids are just so fun it is amazing the enjoyment we get out of them. MY kids never fail to make me smile, laugh, and want to pull my hair out all in one day I just LOVE each moment with them. Happy birthday to your very special boy enjoy every moment before you know it he will be all grown up.
Posted by: judy | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I really like the photo with the cake and candles...Happy, happy 8th Birthday!!!! I so enjoy sharing in your adventures, R, and can't wait to see what you'll be up to next. And congratulations Mama, so far so good! (Really really good!)
Posted by: cypress | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Aww, happy birthday to him, and thank you for sharing such cool stories!
Posted by: sabrina hirsch | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Happy Birthday 8 year old son! Children do grow up so quickly. Enjoy every minute of him. I love the picture of the boys with the presents.
Posted by: Sheila | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 07:50 PM
happy birthday!
turning eight seems like a big step (at least it felt that way to me as a mom). sounds like he's on really solid ground, however.
all our best.
Posted by: stephanie | Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Looks like it was a wonderful way to turn 8!
Posted by: Susana | Tuesday, March 04, 2008 at 07:23 AM