Birthday(s)

It doesn't take much for anyone in our family to turn a weekend evening into a party, but celebrating an important birthday elevates the fun to a whole new level.   The gang gathered together on the west side, and spent some time singin' Happy Birthday to GG.  There was good fun, presents for the kids to (help) unwrap, and even flower candle that put most pyrotechnic displays to shame.

Most importantly, we (hopefully) reminded GG that she is a pretty spectacular great-grandmother.

The kids were all too eager to help with the unwrapping process! 

Speaking of birthdays, I missed the chance to write about Anthony's birthday during my hiatus from the blog.  Since we're awful close to his half birthday, today seems like a good day to write about what a terrific kid he is.

I'm a damn proud momma, to be completely honest.  Every day, he wows me with his thoughtfulness and focus, his vibrant outlook on the world, and his determination to [fill on the blank here].  He's wrapping up his second year of preschool, and everything clicked this year.  He's willing to work hard on academics, and he's discovered a niche within his group of friends.  He's exploring all the options the world holds (for a preschooler) and learning more about what he wants to be in this world.

Whether it is at home with his brother, in the middle of the gym at school, or even with his cousins, it's not uncommon to hear Anthony's voice ring with the command, "Calling all superheroes."  And while he's pretty convinced that he will develop honest-to-God superhero powers when he turns sixteen, I'm trying to remind him (somewhat gently) that not all superheros shoot webs or scale skyscrapers.  I am confident that Anthony has the potential to be a hero - a person of distinguished courage or ability, if we want to be precise - and I'm excited to see how he chooses to develop his talents, and use them to make the world a better place.

Superhero-in-training