already?

Aidan to his Nonna on the phone a moment ago, about me:  "She always acts crazy, like a total mom."  I'm not sure whether to be proud or offended.  I ama total mom, after all.  Crazy doesn't seem too hot, though.

Birthdays are the currency of (almost) five year olds

"If you do something great, "You're invited to my birthday!"  If you don't, "Then you're not invited to my birthday!"  (Nudges of, "Without me, there IS no birthday" are no help to that logic.)  When Addison dumps Phillip and falls in love with Aidan, she's not invited to Phillip's birthday.  Eventually, they're forgiven and birthday invitations resume.  Aidan spends his time making tickets of sorts (the last set were swords cut out of paper and colored) and giving them to friends to show their admissibility to his birthday party.  Birthdays are big.  Really big.

Party's coming up - we bought actual invitations Friday, the kind that have details about the when and where of the party.  Can't wait to hand them out at school tomorrow.  It's a pool party at a rec center, and we're inviting the whole class.  Big stuff.  That's not the best part, though.

We're going to spend the night at my folks' house the night before his birthday as a special treat.  He'll think that's the special treat.  In fact, that morning, the morning he turns five, a fire truck will pull up to my folks' house and drive him to school.  He doesn't know, but the school does, and they'll all be standing outside waiting for the firetruck to pull up when he gets there.  It's the coolest thing I've ever heard of - I didn't even know it existed.  We got it in a silent auction.  I can't wait. 

I.  Can't.  Wait.

nuances

Was just reading my last blogpost.  I must be taking my baby's beginning of school harder than I thought, because I said he's starting college this year.  It's actually kindergarten.  Very, very slight difference.

I crack myself up!

Year of?

Interesting, very interesting.

Year of journeys?  I am decidedly not an athlete.  I'm in week 6 of a 9-week "couch to 5k" program that will begin with my very first race ever (ever) and may or may not culminate in my trying a half marathon in October.  One step (one workout) at a time - I don't look ahead.

Year of beginnings?  Just got involved with a wonderful, amazing NFP.  They help special needs pre-kindergarten kids see how beautiful they are, how much they can do, what they're capable of.  I'm honored to be even slightly associated.  I'm a zero!  (Five-year commitment, and it starts in the fall.)

Year of fun?  Said charity has an annual variety show - they raised about half a million dollars in one night (legally) last year.  So far I've been asked to tap in the opening number.  Thing is, I don't know how to tap dance.  Details.  Anyway, I haven't been involved in a theater production since 1990; no dance (or auditions) since 1989.  Wow.  Sounds like a blast!

Year of changes?  We're hoping to live in a different house by the end of the year, my baby starts college, my work situation is changing slightly (working more - good stuff).

Year of grateful?  There's a lot.  I might be stressed, but I'm not - I'm excited!  I'm a little proud of myself for that one.  Not to mention my gorgeous husband, beautiful son, many blessings.  Mmmm.

Year of open?  I'm finding myself much better at not getting offended, taking suggestions, listening, getting better, coaching.  Being open minded more.  It's good.

Grateful - I like the grateful.