Birthday Boy

I feel very fortunate that my sweetness still harbors no expectation about his birthday with the exception of a few gifts. This year we spent his birthday while staying with my parents. I planned to spend his day at a local bounce play place and then having a pizza/pool party at my brother's house later that night with my in-town siblings and parents. It was going to be fun but low-key. We made it to the play place only to find that it had just been rented out for the rest of the day. I almost wanted to cry for my poor boy as he had just gotten out of the car and was excited to play and I had to tell him to get back in the car which he didn't quite seem to understand. We didn't have enough time to find another place farther away, so instead we went over to the mall and I let him ride on the cars (and rocket ship). He had a good time, having seen them before but never had them MOVE for him. Cheeks was equally excited and the two of them enjoyed themselves for some time.

 

The mall also boasts a toddler play area which Birthday Boy indulged for a few minutes before realizing it was more his sister's speed and wandered out. Oh poor boy. This day was not turning out the way we had hoped.

 

 

To make matters worse, it started sprinkling on the way home. We had hope that it would quickly pass and the pizza/pool party would still be on, but then a gigantic wave of thunder rolled through and it had to be given up. Sigh. And yet, I think I was more disappointed than Birthday Boy.

 

As I began setting up for the birthday party, relocated now at my parent's house, Birthday Boy found my parent's rain boots birthday present. Before I knew it he was outside jumping in puddles, sooooo very excited to play in the water without getting so so wet. Coupled with bubbles from my brother and Birthday Boy was the happiest of boy. And this is why I love small children. There is little that puddles and bubbles won't cure, but I'm not even sure he knew he should be disappointed with the day.

 





 

 

A few days later we celebrated again in Oregon with Matthew. He loved his other presents as well, including a new peddleless bike, but I don't think they were able to compete with the boots or the bubbles.

 

I love this boy. I love that he calls me mommy with every sentence. I love that he has moved from being unknowingly funny to being purposefully silly and how he finds such joy in it. I love that he calls Cheeks his "priend" and wants (for the most part) to have her play with him. I love seeing his mind working through bigger ideas than his 2-year old little self had. Ideas like, negotiation, right and wrong, and choice and accountability. I love that he has a tender heart for the feelings of others (we often don't watch shows because a baby is crying or someone is being mean to another). And I love his exuberance for the most random of things; having something in his shirt, going to and IN "Chick-a-way", watching someone else be silly or playing hide and seek. He is my Boy Howdy and I am in love.