We celebrated boy #2’s Birthday on Sunday and had family over for dinner.  We always let the birthday person choose what they would like to eat on their special day.  I was surprised by his choice, but meatball bombers it was!  I even tried my hand at making a cake.  Now it wasn’t the actual “making” of the cake that was difficult for me.  One of my hobbies is cooking and baking and I am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.  I love reading cookbooks and discovering new recipes.  My latest thing has been making cupcakes from scratch, with really great frosting made from very fresh, fine ingredients. The cupcakes are always a big hit with my family and the neighbors. But my boy wanted a cake.  A football cake.  Not a cake in the shape of a football, but rather a cake in the theme of a football field, with players and goal posts and yard lines.  How could I disappoint?  I never claimed to be an artist, but here is the final creation:

It would never win any awards or blue ribbons at the State Fair (like this one….WOW)

 but the best part was my boy was thrilled!  He thought it was the greatest cake he had ever seen!  He hugged me and thanked me over and over again! Even at bed time that night, I was the recipient of a huge bear hug and a kiss on the cheek and a “thanks for the awesome birthday cake, Mom!”  That was worth it, in a big way!

Auntie, Uncle Chuck, Ty and Emma went to the Brewer game the day before the party and knowing what a Brewer fan boy #2 is, they were thoughtful enough to score some pretty cool Brewer gear for the Birthday Boy! 

Add that to the Brewer Crocs that Grammy gave him, and he is one dudded out fan! The Zumiez gift card that Aunt Jenni and crew presented the boy was burning a whole in his pocket in a big way!  If you are not familiar with Zumiez, it is a “skater” store stocking skateboard clothes, jeans, sweathshirts and the like.  One of my kid’s favorite places!  Unfortunately, they have a limited selection for the younger “sk8ter boyz”.  No worries…he found something right away that was a must have!  This sweatshirt:Now, I was not sure about this purchase.  I mean, does it not look a bit…feminine??  I even took the sweatshirt to the front of the store and asked an employee, who appeared to be a manager of sorts.  Picture a short, very curly haired, bearded man with knit cap and black horn rimmed glasses on.  I asked him if said sweatshirt was for boys, girls or both.  His response? For boys. Definitely boys.  I was schooled a bit in the fashion ways of sk8ter boyz and was told that it is very cool to wear “metro” or “femmy” clothes.  He even told me to look around the store a bit.  He was right. Lots and lots of pink, purple and light blue. All for boys.  Alrighty then.  I guess my age might be starting to show a bit! 

Here are some other pictures from the party and also from my Mom’s visit. She came to celebrate last Tuesday and stayed with us for a couple of days.  A tradition in our family is Grammy and Papa take the Birthday grandchild shopping and out for dinner.  Always a big deal, always a great time!  The birthday kid gets to pick where to go for dinner and then what their gift will be. Here is another thing he picked out with Grammy:

I know, I know. A little different, but no one ever accused my boy of being ordinary. He spotted this shirt at another “ska8ter store” about 6 months ago and has never forgotten about it. Because Grammy can never say NO to the boys, he came home with a very loud, very unique Cookie Monster shirt, that he has worn about 5 times already!  He LOVES this shirt!

Other birthday booty included a new custom built skateboard from us, a game and CD from Aunt Kris and cold hard cash from Mema and Papa and also from Great Grandpa!   He is now only about twenty bucks shy of being the proud new owner of a new Ipod Nano.  The new ones are out and come in a bevy of color choices.  And what color do you think that my boy has his eye on?  Do you think the cobalt blue or the masculine charcoal grey?  Well, you would guess wrong. He wants the bright purple one. I guess the ska8ter shop manager was right on target.  Well, at least it will match his new sweatshirt!

Today is the day that my baby was born. September 28th, 1999. He turns 9 years old today.  His picture is in the paper with a caption that reads: “Collin C—– turns 9 years old today. He enjoys computers, art, baseball and football and also reading.”  There is so much more, but I had to limit the words. He enjoys just about everything except cleaning his room and going to bed early. That boy #2 of mine. He is funny, so smart, talented beyond words. 

 We often say that boy #2 is good at everything he tries.  He is an amazing artist and he often will sit for hours writing his own comic books and illustrating them.  He has a fire in his eye, a “drive” and determination. When he sets his mind on something, be sure that he will do whatever that may be.  He is sharp, stubborn, witty, fun loving, good humored.  If there is a good time to be had, count that boy in!

He is growing up so fast, and sometimes I forget that he is as old as he is.  It is  hard to believe that nine years have passed. For some reason, I can remember his birth a little clearer than the birth of boy #1, and I am not sure if it is because he is younger, or if it has something to do with my condition during the birth of boy #1, which is for another post entirely!

Today I want to reflect on what boy #2 means to me. Sure, all mothers love their children (or are supposed to at least. I have heard some pretty horrific stories) and I do love my boy, more than anything. He has made me a better mother because he has taught me what unconditional love is. There have been times (many, many, many times) that he has tried my patience, made me question my abilities as a mother and made me cry silently on the sofa so he could not hear me from his bedroom.  This child of mine, so different than his brother has taught me many lessons about being a Mom.  Like these:

1.  Don’t keep any booze bottles within a 900 square feet radius of childs reach. Not because said child might accidently drink the booze, but because he might smash an entire bottle of Jack Daniels on the kitchen floor.  Did you know that Jack Daniels will remove the finish right off of your floor, no scrubbing neccesary? Oh, and it gives your entire house a slight “slummy bar at closing time” smell. Ahhhh!

2. Just because porcelin collectibles are out of his reach, does not mean that he will not try to reach for them. Even if it means crawling out of bed, climing on top of sibling while said sibling sleeps soundly, and scaling a shelf on a bed head board. Darn it, if he wants it, he will go to great lengths to get it. And why did he want the lovely, hand made porcelin collectable teddy bears?  Why, to drop on his brothers head while he slept, of course!

3. When a toddler of about 20 months decides that it is time to play outside, then it is time. It does not matter that it is 6 AM on a random Friday morning. He will find a stool, drag it quietly to the door, climb upon the stool and unlock the door. Quietly. And then he will leave.  To nowhere in particular.  Or maybe to a neighbors house down the street to play in a large puddle from the rain the night before.  No need to panic, or have your other child call 911 to report a child abduction. Just start running down the street, screaming calling his name. You will find him eventually.   Like in 20 minutes or so.  Boy #2 is why Papa had to come and install a “parental” lock on the back door located so high  on the door, that I needed a stool to reach.

4. Never ask a 5 year year old boy his opinion on a new outfit you are wearing. Trust me.  He may tell you exactly how it looks, with no sugar coat. Example: I had a new shirt that I really liked, and I thought I looked pretty good in. I came out of the bedroom and both of my boys were standing there.  Boy #2 says, “are we having another baby coming?”  I hesitantly say, “no, why do you think that?”  His response…”well, it kinda looks like there is one in your tummy.”  My sensitive older child, boy #1 looks horrified and turns around quickly and comes to his mother’s defense. ” How could you say that to her?  That is so mean!  Mom, you look perfect.  You do not look fat. You look beautiful. Really, really pretty.”   All the while, giving his brother a shot of stink eye.  As boy #1 is professing my beauty to me, boy #2 shrugs his shoulders, turns around and starts to walk away.  I hear him mutter under his breath, “not that pretty!”

5.  When a new neighbor moves in next door and they spend their entire Bush Economic Stimulus Check on a new fence, admire it. Tell them how great it looks, and don’t make a fuss that they are now limiting the “football playing area” in your back yard.  That way, when your hot shot boy tries to do a half pipe off the fence and the fence breaks less than a month after installation, maybe your neighbors won’t be so mad.

Note to boy #2:

None of these could ever change my love for you. You and your brother are my heart, my reason for being. I cannot imagine what our life would be like if you were not here.  For all of the times you have made us exasporated, as we shake our heads or clench our teeth, there are a hundred more times you make us beam with pride and our hearts swell with adoration.  You have given all of us, our entire extended family such joy and laughter.  You have made me look at life a little differently. You have made simple things more…well, fun!  Sometimes Dad and I wonder who you take after, because it is not neccesarily us. We see a lot of Uncle Robby in you, and that brings us comfort and sweet smiles. He will always be here, living on because of you.  Sometimes we see Uncle Chuck in you, your namesake. His laughter and silliness shines through in you.  You are both “Good Time Charlies” as Dad says!  But most of all, you are just simply Collin.  An incredible little boy that by the grace of God, I get to be the mother of. I am blessed, little boy!  One more thing…I Hope You Dance!  I love you big much, all the way to the stars and moon and back again, a thousand times!  Happy Birthday, Diddly!  XXOOXXOO Mommy