Happy Birthday!

Today my big kid turns 10. Wow. Its been fabulous to watch him grow. He has made especially big changes this last year. Maybe not compared to infancy, and I understand development will soon be happening at warp speed (otherwise known as adolescence). When I look at him, I see a capable, intelligent being who has lived a completely different set of experiences than I did at the same age. He has matured a lot emotionally this year. Before, he would play with kids who were mean to him just because he so much wanted to play with someone he didn't care how they acted. Now, he tries to play and hangout with them, but can walk away when he doesn't like what they do. Yesterday he actually left the neighbors party where we all were because the kids were playing meanly with him and just him. He simply got his shoes and walked home. No blow up, no meanness back to the kids. He told them how he felt and gave them a chance to change and they didn't care to. It doesn't even matter so much if they were being mean on purpose or were simply unaware. We talked about socialization and how our social interactions might be different from theirs at school. He just came home and played with his xbox - happily. I was amazed.

So what did my wonderful Son want to do for his birthday? Open presents! Lots if possible :-) So I gave him lots of small things and wrapped up even the non object presents. Then he opened them throughout the day so he was able to open something every few hours on his special day. What did he get you ask?

Present 1) The one thing he asked for was to go to the movies to see the High School Musical 3. He's never seen a movie in the theater. Sitting for that long was difficult until recently. Since the movie hasn't opened yet, I just wrapped up a homemade coupon for a Movie Theater Experience.

Present 2) I also got a book for him titled Choosing Your First Power Boat. He has developed an interest in powerboats and going fast. I couldn't get him a boat for his birthday (or pay for the gas for said boat;-) but I did find a way to support his new passion. The Universe provided for me here because I got a book for Daughter from paperbackswap.com . As always, when I order a book, I check out the other books from the same seller since it saves on shipping costs. There the book was - waiting for me.

Present 3) In the spring, we opened a new bank account for him with an ATM card. He loves using it for depositing his savings and taking money out for his purchases. But he dislikes the fact that you can only take money out of the ATM machine in $20 increments. Not very friendly to those who want to just take out a little to spend. So one of his presents is a new bank account with a debit card from Young Americans Bank. They make checking accounts and credit cards available to young people. As a matter fact, there is an age cap to have an account there - 21!

Present 4) A cozy that I crocheted and then felted for his ipod. The earbuds fit in the case before I felted it but I didn't know how much it would shrink. Oops. I had attached a loop so that it would slide onto a belt and that part worked out fine. Maybe I'll make another one slightly bigger so those ear buds fit too...

Present 5) I reminded his teenaged cousins (actually second cousins) that is was his birthday and he would really like to have it acknowledged by them. Yeah, both of them emailed Son today with birthday greetings. He was happy.

Present 6) The way cool dude that Son met at the Live and Learn Conference, Pavi, called to wish my Dude a Happy Birthday. Ok, so I did call Pavi's mom this morning to tell her it was Son's birthday and I did put the phone call idea in her head, but I knew it would make Son feel really good to talk with his friend.

Present 7) The Dinner. Everything Son really likes. Juicy steak (organic). Birthday cake. Another dessert (apple pie). Homemade bread with oil and spices. A vegetable for the rest of the family. I had a big salad too. Crystal glasses for everyone. Yum!

What a fabulous day for my big guy.