full of surprises
Just when I think the boys in my life were living solely to annoy me, they go and do something really great. A few weeks ago, Griff and my nephew, Hayden, asked if I would help them make surprise Christmas gifts for their sisters (and for Hayden’s mom and dad). They had it all planned out and were prepared to spend their own money for the project. Now, how sweet is that?
After a fun lunch together at our house today, I took the boys shopping for supplies, and they started their project this afternoon. Now, it’s all misshapen and nowhere near perfect, but it’s amazing anyway. I am quite proud of them. And honored to have been included.
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Happy Birthday, Griffin!!!
It is hard to believe that my baby is turning 11 today. How did that happen? I wore his crocs around the house tonight… and they were too big. In another day or so, I’ll turn around and he’ll be 22. I’ve always said that Griff was kinda born an old man. But the qualities that will make him an amazing man make it really hard to be a kid sometimes. He’s this contradiction of little boy and kindly old soul.
It seems that at this point, I worry about him more than anything. He’s entering middle school next fall, and it’s even harder to be a short, kinda weak little smart boy in middle school than it is in elementary school. I’m spending my summer praying he hits a growth spurt before school starts in August.
He’s going to be going to his third new school in four years thanks to our move to Florida and some rezoning issues, and he’ll have to make new friends again. I hate that for him.
We got the notification in the mail this week that he was accepted into the Accelerated Track for academics in middle school, and I’m not completely sure it’s where I want him. But it’s where he wants to be, and I’m ready to support that choice (of course, Mike, all of Griff’s teachers, and the middle school selection group may not all be wrong here).
I am fearful for him in so many ways. Growing up now is so much more challenging than when I was a kid. And yet, I am hopeful for him is so many other ways. I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for Griff.
And so, happy birthday to my favorite boy. And to think, I wanted a new car. Mike’s the one who wanted a child. He’s always the one with the right idea.
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His first tux…
At his school, just before his first chorus concert.
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Go on, vote
Here’s the thing… I don’t much care who you vote for in the upcoming election. Now, certainly, I have a preference for whom I will vote. But I don’t feel any need to convince anyone else to vote for my candidate. I’m not that kinda girl.
What I do feel compelled to do is to attempt to convince people to vote. It’s our right. It’s a right that some people around the world don’t have. And while I’m not completely convinced that my vote really counts (Mike tries periodically to explain the electoral college to me but then gets frustrated and joins me in watching bad tv instead), I know that if I don’t vote at all, it can’t count.
We’ve taken Griff (and then, Eliza, too) to vote with us since he was a baby. And now he’s wanting to watch the debates. We TiVo’d the Nick News special on the election and are going to watch it with him to discuss the candidates and their answers. His school is doing a mock vote on Election Day, and he’s already decided which candidate he wants to win.
No one would ever describe us as big political people (ok, my work boyfriend would, but he doesn’t vote at all, so it’s all relative), and I don’t want to be all wrapped up in the process. But I want our kids - and the people around us! - to know that voting is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
So, seriously, go vote. Vote for McCain. Vote for Obama. Vote for Donald Duck as a write-in candidate for all I care. Just vote.
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Surprise photos
The boys were both soooo surprised when they saw each other last night. It was the most fun. And it was super to have them together again. I am always surprised at how easily they slip into being together.
The boys spent forever building cars at the Lego shop at Downtown Disney.
Will’s built like his daddy… all stocky and solid. Griff looks skinnier than usual next to him. But aren’t they all cute in their little reggae Mickey hats. They spent a good 20 minutes trying on various hats. Mike commented that only at Disney would I allow kids to try on hats that countless others have tried on before. Lice? Never heard of the concept. It’s the Happiest Place on Earth! Try this one on next!
Will said, ‘I wish ya’ll hadn’t moved.’ To which Griff said, ‘me, too.’ Will asked Mike, ‘When are ya’ll moving back?’ which began their discussion about how they were planning - their 8-year-old selves at that time - to sabotage Mike’s interview with his current employer. Sweet if heartbreaking.
Tagged with: Downtown Disney • friendship • Griff • love • Will
