Monday, June 08, 2009

Jack, eight is enough

Today, my Jack turned eight. To say where did the last eight years go is cliché but also very true. I am amazed at the transformation this little person has undergone before our eyes. He went from eating, sleeping and you know, I don’t need to say it, to this person we get to share our lives with. His maturity has grown leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. Gone are the tantrums he used to be prone to when his routine was upset. In their place is the ability to deal with these even though it still upsets him.

This year, for the boys’ birthdays we decided, after I read this post by by Zoe’s Dad’s Wife(Confused yet? Good, that’s how I like it.) about their birthday tradition with their kids, that we would do the same. Instead of buying them more toys, that which they really do not need, nor overly desire, we would spend an entire day with each of them, just Mommy and Daddy, doing whatever they wanted, within reason of course. Naturally we asked them first, to see if they would be okay with it. When we asked Jack we had to pick his jaw up off the floor. At first I thought, oh no, he is NOT okay with this….then he smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen him smile. He was more than okay with it, he was over the moon.

That day was this Saturday. Unfortunately, plans for Kamden fell through, his buddy, whom he was going to spend the day with, was sick. Jack was understandably a little upset at first. I explained that we could still have our day but that Kamden would have to tag along. He didn’t like that at first but after a few minutes he came to me quietly and said, “Mommy, Kamden should come with us today.”

Well if my heart didn’t swell.

To say it was a great day would be an understatement. Family days are always great. Jack chose to go to Pizza Hut for lunch and then swimming. Before we left I told him I would make him whatever he wanted for supper. He chose spaghetti and meatballs (easy peasy!).

We spent the morning with Hot Wheels Racetrack Central (see what I mean about not needing more toys, trust me, he ain’t deprived in the least), then headed off lunch and swimming. He had fun, we all did. Upon arriving home, he was pooped out from all the activity. I made supper while the boys hit the couch with Daddy and the pile of library books we also picked up while we were out. When supper was ready, Jack was first into the kitchen and was flabbergasted.

“Mommy, THANK you. This is the best.”

Do you know what it was that got this super reaction? It wasn’t the fact that he got to pick whatever he wanted to do. It wasn’t the pizza out for lunch. It wasn’t the swimming. It certainly wasn’t the unplanned trip to the library to kill time before the pool opened.

No.

It was the candles and wine glasses that I set out for dinner.


It’s the simple things, our time and a little extra touch just to let him know how special he really is.

I think maybe this boy of mine is teaching me more than I could ever teach him and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Happy 8th Birthday my sweet Jack!

Photobucket

22 comments:

Cheryl said...

I love every single thing you did for him on his birthdat and he is so very special...what a great kid......good work mom & dad, you KNOW part of that is al because of who YOU two are!

Happy Birthday handsome Jack!

Lori said...

Happy Birthday to your little man

and what a great way to show him that he is special... and isn't that what birthday are all about anyway?

Angella said...

What a beautiful post, Kami!

Happy birthday to Jack!!

Kristin said...

Aww, that sounds like a perfect birthday. :)
It makes me happy to hear that you all had such a fun time celebrating Jack.

Anonymous said...

How great! How perfect! What a fairytale life!

Anonymous said...

What an inspiring story Kami! Happy Birthday Jack! :)

nicole said...

Sounds like a great day to me! Pizza, swimming, books, and a fancy dinner! What a special kid! We used candles and wine glasses at our Christmas dinner with the kids and they are still talking about it. Will definitely be a tradition for us from now on. Happy Birthday to both of you (your mom birthday).

Anonymous said...

kami, that is the best thing i have ever heard/read!!! we try to have special days with each of the girls as well, but lately they haven't work out (family drama). and what a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday (and the fact that he was more than ok with it is even better!). thanks for the idea :)

Unknown said...

how wonderful. Happy 8th birthday to your baby!

I love this birthday tradition...

Hannah said...

Happy Birthday, Jack! He sounds like an absolutely delightful little guy! I love the idea of spending a whole day with him, doing whatever he wants. Well done to you & Jay for raising such a lovely boy, Kami! I'm glad he had a wonderful birthday and I hope he enjoys being EIGHT :-)

R Royal Family said...

Happy Birthday Jack! I am glad to hear of the wonderful day you had. The candles and wine glasses was a nice touch, I might just have to steal that one ;-)

Happy Birthday to you mama

KATE said...

Isn't it just amazing how fast the time flies? I think that's a great birthday tradition! I might just steal that one too!
Happy Birthday Jack!

Alicia W. said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet Jack!!

Kristin said...

How sweet! Such a celebration, isn't it always the simple things that are so great? What a memorable way to celebrate! Nicely done.

Karen MEG said...

Happy birthday to your sweet Jack, EIGHT!!!

I love how you celebrated, we forget sometimes how much the kids treasure their "alone" time with mom and dad, especially when they have siblings, but that was so darling that he wanted his little bro there too.

That table setting is beautiful; perfectly special for a special boy!

Unknown said...

I'm LOVING that birthday tradition and so glad you got to spend a day as a family and celebrating your sweet 8 year old! Birthday hugs from me!

And such a sweet post from his loving Mommy...

Loukia said...

Aww, how sweet... Happy 8th Birthday to your little guy. Sounds like a perfect way to spend his birthday. Who needs more toys? The quality time and family time you spent together are so much more meanigful! He sounds ver sweet.

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday Jack! What a great way to spend the day together. And a wonderful idea that I hope to steal! :)

Kami said...

*Sigh* How sweet! Happy Birthday, Jack!

Miss Behavin said...

It's amazing how the simple little things mean more to them than a video game or new toy. So glad you all enjoyed such a fabulous day together.

Also wanted to say thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a heartwarming comment.

Ed said...

They really do thrive on the attention, don't they?

So glad to hear he had a great birthday--even if little brother had to share his day of fun.

teeni said...

Ack! Your boys are growing too fast! But Jack is wise (besides being handsome, the little devil). And this is why sometimes the families that don't seem to have a lot, really have the most. Priorities, babies. You got 'em and Jack's got 'em. Ya done good.