Five Candles

We just got back from Iowa. Jay had a great time with Grandpa, Grandma Lois, Aunt Karla, and Sue & Kendal's family. Karla put together a birthday in the park as soon as we arrived. There was another cutie playing in the park with whom he became fast friends, so Adriana and her Grandma also joined us for our party. I was so glad to have another kid there, as the whole thing was spontaneous! Of course Uncle Tom sent an alligator golf set (don't ask), we had bubbles, balloons, lots of presents, the usual childhood happiness. Karla knows how to party!

Jay also had a party at school the day before with his buddies, took Diego cupcakes, and got to wear a crown. That morning at 7:00 a.m., he looked at me with the most pitiful eyes, and said, "we need birthday hats for party." So at approximately 7:35 a.m. I was sprinting through Wal-Mart, screaming "where are the party favors?!?" Somehow we made our purchases and still arrived at school/work on time.

Iowa is a great haven for us. Life moves so much more slowly there. J took his bike, practiced with Aunt Karla, Mommy, and Grandpa several times, and lo and behold that kid took off by himself (with the assistance of training wheels). I was thrilled because he'd not been terribly interested in it for awhile. Note to self: kids do things when they are ready.

J soaked up the attention of Karla, or "Aunt Aunt Aunt Aunt Karla," as he affectionately refers to my sister. They got to cuddle, read books, and even watch "The Wizard of Oz" for his first viewing. He just giggled through the whole thing. Wasn't fazed by the wicked witch or flying monkies, who happened to traumatize me and probably thousands of other kid's childhoods. What can I say, he was pleasantly oblivious.

Jay also got to play with Ingrid, Gunnar, and Elise, the kids of my best friend from high school, Sue. Sue and J share a birthday, so we took her some flowers and birthday cake, and got to swim in John & Joanne's pool (Sue's parents). J was certainly territorial about his cake. We left it at their place and he almost didn't survive it. Over the next two days, I heard, "my cake, where's my cake?" over and over. So I got to explain sharing, blah blah blah, but looking back on it that will probably be his trauma from his 5th birthday. That and the fact that he burnt his finger while playing with sparklers. Yep. Your basic predictable 4th of July celebration, likely the first he'll remember. I love it that he will start to have memories of his life, if he doesn't already.

I continue to just cherish doing all the childhood things with him. I love watching his face when he experiences something new. He is so much fun to have around! Lately, when he asks permission for something, and I say yes, he gives a short, quick, "yeah!" Just a little punctuation. In and out.

Oh, I almost forgot. Grandpa got a new hearing aid while we were there, and he can hear so much better. He used to miss so much of what J said, and it was a little miracle watching my Dad delight in actually hearing what Joaquin was saying. I'm really grateful for that.

Over and Out.