JP is 13! Happy Birthday!

Wow! I can't believe my boy is 13 years old!  He has gone from a grumpy, colicky baby to a happy, and mature young man.  I am so proud of the path he has set for himself - he said to me recently, "Mom, no one is ever going to pressure me to do something stupid, or something I don't want to do.  No one!"  Yes, I am having a "proud mommy moment" - the kind that makes the eyes of strangers or the childless glaze over; the kind that makes moms of less well behaved kids shoot looks of venom.  But, when we are proud of our children, why shouldn't we celebrate them?  They are wonderful creatures, full of love and life.  I once had someone say to me, when they found out we homeschool, "What makes you think your child is so special?"  My response was, "What makes you think yours isn't? ALL children are special." 

Even though it is my son's birthday today, and thus feels like a special day for both of us, I want to challenge you to find a way to make your children feel special today.  It doesn't have to be big.  Just do one little extra thing - an extra hug (keep hugging until THEY tell you to stop), a small handwritten note on the pillow before bed, a smiley face with ketchup for dipping their snack...and, while you are at it, do something for your spouse or significant other, and for a few friends.  Because EVERYONE is special in some way.

A look back at my young man's first 13 years...

Welcome to the world, little man!

Just out of the bath...

Life with an eye patch is easy when you have Mickey around!

Preschool, just before Christmas. (I just love his expression!)

Swim lessons.

JP with Nan, me, and Jenny the dog.

First missing tooth!

Making a new friend in San Francisco.

Halloween costume contest at Legoland (second from the right).

Karate, belt promotion.

Science class at Lawrence Hall of Sciences in Berkeley, CA.

Making apple pie.

At the driving range, deciding which club to use.

When I checked earlier today, the mail hadn't come yet, but JP is just desperate for some birthday cards! We started the day with breakfast in bed.  He requested eggs (omelet style), bacon (he chose turkey bacon), and a glass of water (but I gave him lemon ginger tea).  Then, he played video games for a bit.  When he was ready, we headed out to the video game store where he used one of his gifts (a gift card plus cash) to buy a new game.  He's been happily playing the new game for a few hours now, stopping periodically to come and tell me about it.  In a bit, we will head out to Applebees for a birthday dinner, then home for cake (lemon cake with lemon frosting - pictures tomorrow).  Overall, a nice and relaxing birthday.  Next week, we will celebrate again at a water park with JP's best friend.