The Actual Celebration & LBJ, III

We didn't go nuts this year, perhaps in keeping with the new, more mature Caitlin?  The birthday was a simple affair comprised of breakfast in bed (cinnamon buns with a candle), homemade pesto pasta for lunch, swimming in the afternoon with a friend, and dinner at a Japanese steakhouse.  I realized after the fact that the day was quite complete.  We had toyed with the notion of a larger get together with friends, but perhaps we will save that for the spring.

   The day after Cait's birthday also happens to be important (in our household), as it is Nicholas' half birthday.  He is now 18 months old, and generally as charming as can be.  He is still a total flirt, cocking his head, and saying "Yeah, yeah" to "the ladies" (any girl/woman who looks his way).   We are certainly not complaining, but do sometimes wonder where this outgoing, extremely happy, blond-haired, blue-eyed wonder came from.  Not to imply his sisters are mopey, but he is just ridiculously cheerful unless extremely tired or hungry.

He is climbing everything he can, and had a massive word explosion this month: birday (birthday), pizza (yep), and many others which all just flew out of my head.  He still eats and drinks (iced tea and coffee not excluded) everything he can get his hands and it has no affect on his svelte figure. And, with that, we have the Nicholas update!

One last bit of news:  he starts swim lessons again next week, this time stroke work!  Look for more screaming (not a typo) videos to be uploaded soon.  And, now, off to bed, as my first baby starts middle school tomorrow!  Nope, not crying, she's ready, and believe it or not, so am I!

I should be

overflowing with words, a river of emotion that can't be contained.  I should not be quiet, or let this occasion pass me by.  Yet, as Cturned 11 today, I do not find myself terribly emotional or excited. Yes, she is older, but in some respects, has seemed so for months now.

Could it be that the big "double-digit" birthday excitement has passed?  Or perhaps because she is not yet a teenager, just a "tween"?  It might also be that we are not moving anywhere (yet)?  She is starting middle school next week, but, in some respects, really just a change of grades.

Perhaps it is because the grandest discovery this year was a very quiet one.  I began to realize through several small discussions that C has a very strong sense of self.  Whether burying herself in books for hours on end, utilizing her vocal talents to pacify her adoring brother, or creating endless characters for her stories and plays, she is happy just being herself.  Not only is she happy, but satisfied with her capabilities, and I am terribly envious of that trait.

I remember fretting about a school project one night.  Silly, really, but that is what parents do best, right?  She had not asked for any help, though that is par with the course.  I had recently attended a school function, and was overwhelmed by the discussions of the other parents regarding school projects.  It seemed every other parent was way more involved in the project than I had deemed necessary.  The extent of the help I was allowed to give for any project was limited to purchasing paper for the printer, or okaying use of a household item for said project.

I resolved to ensure that I was not failing her miserably
as a parent, and confronted her.  Did she need help?  Had I somehow ignored or missed previous protests?  Had I totally and completely let her down by simply allowing her to make her own mistakes?

"No, mom, I am fine.  I have my work under control and I don't need your help.  Also, I am happy with my grades and how I am doing in school.  Really, I am."

It wasn't the first time she had said it, but certainly the
most she ever said on the topic.  As I look back on the year, this calm is what impresses me most about her over the past year.  Happy birthday to you, Little C, and may you continue to bloom so extraordinarily wherever you are planted.

Little C

Day Camp

now seems to require as much or more than regular camp.  Kelsey, a Daisy in first grade, won a spot in at the local Girl Scout camp.  The camp offers nine sessions at the incredibly affordable price of $75/week. The demand is obviously high, due to the low cost.  Since the camps are completely staffed by volunteers, each Scout is only allowed one place in one week each summer.

Kelsey wanted to attend with a friend, and since the younger girls are allowed to 'buddy-up' if space allows, we put in for two different weeks, and crossed our fingers.  Each week has a different theme, but all sounded as they would offer them a grand time, and we were just hoping that she might get a spot. Imagine her happiness when she won a spot in the "Best of Broadway" week! 

We received two separate mailings from the unit leaders, and oodles of information regarding the plethora of items (everything labeled, of course) that needed to accompany them each day.  Note to self: must wash mess kit ASAP.  One swimsuit, towel, two bandanas, comfort kit, art supplies (yes, I labeled every marker), her portion of the dessert, lunch bag, mess kit, shorts, jeans, jacket, sneakers, extra underwear, and water bottle later, she was ready to go. Oh, and, yes, Nicholas was desperate to help her with anything food-related!

She was a bit tired from the day, plus the commute (an hour plus round-trip), but that didn't stop her from practically taking over the making of dinner.  I was allowed to trim and tenderize the chicken cutlets, but she took it from there.  Peter had a meeting, so the four of us had a lovely dinner of Chicken Francaise and cucumber & cherry tomato salad on the patio.  The Girl Scout unit leaders had warned us that our camper might come home exhausted. If this is Kelsey without a drop of energy, wonder what she will tackle tomorrow night?