The Birthday Card He Would Write If He Could

The other day I asked Dylan to make Jim a birthday card.  I try not to hover while he is doing a project, but let him do it in his own way.  So, when I saw the finished card, I had to laugh...

"Dylan, you're supposed to write NICE things on a birthday card!  Telling Daddy that he's old isn't really nice!", I explained.  "I didn't say he was old!", he protested.  O... kay..., I sighed.

Jim does many things that drive me completely crazy, err... I mean one or two things at the most (cough), but he is a wonderful husband and he looks as good now as he did when I married him.  But, the thing that makes him the most attractive to me is how he is with Dylan.

It's hard for a five year old to explain, but I know what he really wanted to say in his card was,

"Thanks Dad, for spending your "spare" time making things that you know will make ME happy".

"Thank you for taking the time to do projects with me".

"Thank you for being man enough to be so giving with your affection".

"Thank you for choosing to take ME when you get an extra sports ticket".

"Thank you for going along with my crazy ideas, and for being willing to be silly".

"Thank you for letting me "help", even when it would be easier not to".

"But, most of all, thank you for being there when I needed you, since the very beginning".

We love you, Jim!  Thanks for all you do for us.  Happy 47th Birthday!  (It's really not a big number).

First Day Of Kindergarten

Well, the first day of kindergarten is over, and I have to say that it went better than I expected.  Dylan seemed happy to go, and besides being "SO TIRED" this morning at 7am, he didn't complain.

The most amazing part?  I did not cry.  I know!  Weird, huh?  I think it helped that Jim took the day off, so he was around to keep me from getting lonely.  I think I was a bit giddy at the fact that we were actually getting stuff done.  We completed a Lowe's run for a new light fixture and a few other supplies, and painted a closet all before 10 am!  The house is still is a state of disarray, even after all the work we did today, but by the end of this week it should actually be presentable.

When we picked Dylan up (the bus ride would be 50 minutes, and that is just ridiculous for a 5 year old), he seemed a bit subdued, but happy.  The first thing he said to me was "I am SO thirsty!!"  He normally drinks (and eats) a lot during the day, so that one juice box at lunch just didn't cut it.  He gulped down a full glass of juice in a few seconds when we got home.

He actually did tell us a few things about school, which is a big improvement over last year.  He told us he had gym class and the teacher "wore him out" (kuddos to you, smart man!).  He knew the girls name that sits next to him.  He told us about a book they heard and a short Berenstain Bears movie they watched.  He also told me he liked the special first day lunch I made him, but when I asked if he saw the note, he said, "I saw it, but I didn't read it".  So much for that!

I guess wearing the belt went okay, but he already popped the clasp off his shorts.  One wear!  That's a new record! (sigh)  I'm having lunch with a friend on Thursday and I work Friday, so tomorrow will probably be the hardest day for me, since the house will be so quiet.  But, don't worry.  I have a whole list of projects to get done!

The angry bird lunch

Summer 2012

Dear Dylan,

I don't know if you will remember this summer when you are older, the summer of 2012, so let me tell you about it.

The summer of 2012 was one of the best summers of my life, and one I don't want to ever forget.

In the summer of 2012, you were five and I was 39/40.  You were old enough to be more independent, but still young enough to need your mommy.  You started to come downstairs and play when you woke up, instead of rushing into Daddy and I's room.

You and I went to Keystone Lake several times and those days were some of my favorites.  I loved listening to you laugh when we played "Whale and Fish" or "Shark and Fish".  When I was the shark or whale I would grab you in my arms and say "Well, say there fish!  I would like to invite you to my house for dinner.   Oh, did I mention that YOU'RE dinner?", and you would laugh and laugh and scream "NO!"  I loved watching you make "mushy gum" (a homemade concoction of sand/water/rocks).  I loved hearing you exclaim "Mom!  I did it!" when you successfully climbed the rock wall on the playground.

We also went to the community pool, where you took private swim lessons from "Aary".  Learning to swim is tough for you because you always have a big grin on your face and your mouth is going, so you end up swallowing water.   I don't know what all you said to Aary, but she was often laughing.  You love to talk, and will talk to pretty much anyone, young or old.  You still don't want to swim underwater, but you are able to swim a short distance without going under.

Your daddy and I took you to Idlewild, and we were amazed at the change in you from last year to this year.  Last year, I had to force you to go on one of the small water slides.  This year, you went on all the slides in the kids area.  At one point, I looked at your daddy and said "Look at us!  We're sitting on beach chairs... relaxing!"  You love the wave pool, and want to go out in the deep.

We also took you to Kennywood, where you rode the big roller coasters for the first time (The Racers and The Jackrabbit).

You started learning to ride a bike this summer.  I was so proud of you, because even though you were getting really frustrated, you just kept getting up and trying again.

You were really into sports of all kinds, and you loved watching the Olympics this summer.  We played many games of "Dylanball" (your own made up game).

You attended your first wedding, (Ann and Dustin's).  I'm pretty sure everyone knew who you were by the end of the night, since you were all over the dance floor.  You would grab the hands of ladies you didn't even know and force them to dance with you!

You learned to play chess.  You started taking showers.  You learned to hula hoop, and you and your friend next door would do it together.  You went to your first Steelers game with your daddy.

You start kindergarten tomorrow, and you seem excited about it.  You said you will enjoy "Recess, Gym, Math, and Lunch" the best, which is probably pretty accurate.  I hope you love it all, and make lots of new friends.  Last week one morning, you climbed into my bed and wanted to snuggle.  Even though we had a ton of things to do that day, I stayed in bed as long as possible, stroking your face, and making you laugh with silly stories, knowing I might not get the chance to do that again.  I will miss my little sidekick during the week, but I'm excited for this new stage in your life.  Make it great, my sweet boy!

Love you,
Mommy