David's Pokemon b-day party

David recently had his eighth birthday party. That's right. Eight. Eight years old.

Unbelievable.

David wanted a Pokemon-theme party and sleep-over. We invited seven of his best buds (from school, the neighborhood, and cousins) so, including the birthday boy, we had eight Pokemon Trainers attend his party, in honor of his eighth birthday. (Okay, when he is 14 and there are 14 boys here please tell me this precedent might not have been the best idea. Well, actually, right after I suggested the number of guests to reflect the number of years he is on his b-day, I thought, Uh-oh! Maybe not a good idea.) :-)

Anyway, it was a fun time with pizza, fun presents for the birthday boy, grab bags for the attendees, a cool Pikachu cake made by mom, serious Pokemon card trading, Pokemon activities such as Find the Hidden Pokemon Card and Pokemon in the Forest at twilight with flashlights, a Pokemon video, and lots of fun throughout the evening. And, the Pokemon Trainers, tired from all the fun, fell asleep at a reasonable hour.

The next morning, a big breakfast was served to cheerful boys with hearty appetites.

It was a fun time and I loved all the energy in the house.

I have always enjoyed planning David's birthday parties. It has been a joy helping David realize his dreams and ideas for a fun and memorable birthday party. I trust these birthday parties will be memorable.

The only downside, after planning each passing b-day party, as a mom, is that after each fun party I realize David is growing up way more quickly than I ever thought imaginable.

And I reckon his nine year birthday party... is but a blink away.

a birthday wish

David is a member of a "Birthday Club" at a local restaurant. On his birthday he gets a free dinner!

So, my eight year old and I went to dinner tonight for his birthday. When the complimentary birthday sundae treat came out with a lit candle I told David to make a wish. He blew out the candle.

I smiled, "Your wish is going to come true!"

He looked at me, with a steady gaze. "Why?" he asked.

"Honey, you blew out your candle in one breath. And I just really, truly believe it will." As soon as the words left my mouth I immediately hoped he didn't wish for something too extravagant or something he would never get, like a dirt bike.

He paused for a moment, and then said, "It already came true."

"It already came true?" I was surprised. Really? I couldn't imagine what gift he had wanted and had already received; after all, the microscope set, I figured, was a complete surprise.

So curious. "What did you wish for?"

He looked at me and, very matter of fact, answered, "A happy life."

A happy life?

A happy life.

My heart melted a little... which is a fairly regular occurrence, given I am mom to David.

What I have always, truly wished for David is a contented (if not happy, necessarily; but, certainly, contented) life.

So... all I can say, at this moment in time, when my newly eight year old shared that his fondest wish had already come true, is-- Hallelujah!

eight

My baby is going to be eight this week. Eight. My baby... is no longer a baby. He'll be eight. In only a handful of days he will be half way to legal driving age. He is light years, and eight years, away from the little three and a half pound wonder he was, upon his premature, but celebrated, arrival. He is almost eight- and rough and tumble and funny and dear. My boy is almost eight.