Many Happy Returns of the Day

Calvin turned 8 yesterday. E. I. G. H. T. Somehow that seems really close to ten.

Sometimes I get so frustrated with him. Sometimes I think he is incredibly immature and naughty for his age. Sometimes he makes me want to bang my head against a wall with his obnoxiousness. But you know what? He's awesome. And he's growing and maturing and changing and learning more every day and I love him to bits.

On Saturday we had a group of 5 extra boys at our house. Four friends/neighbors and one best friend from church and a different school district. First, let me just say that having 5 extra boys is a quick reminder that my kids are not the only ones who are not perfect ;-). Cal had a great time though and really they were all good and all had a good time. I think. I was SO proud of Cal. Not once when they were here did I hear him complain about giving someone else a turn or making sure he included someone (especially the friend who didn't know the others). Seriously? Was this MY firstborn "alpha male?" It was a small glimpse of the young man he is becoming and it was one that made me incredible pleased and hopeful that maybe we are not messing up all this parenting business!

We have a tradition here that I (stupidly) created, once the kids could make their own requests, of making a cake of their choosing. It has led to some challenging requests and often has fallen on Mike do decorate as he is the better artist between us. This year Cal settled on a Wipeout cake. I was a bit concerned that his, ahem, particular nature would not be kind to me if I didn't do it "just so" and if it didn't turn out looking like one (rather professional looking) that we found online. But, in the end, he promised not to freak out and I promised to do my best. I think we were both pleased with the simple results.

topple towers

sucker punch

big balls

Wipeout cake

Sunday we enjoyed the cake with a bit of my family (as we'll see Mike's family next weekend) and some pleasant and modest presents.

And then Cal disappeared into his focused world of Lego building, spending the next hour or so bent over his guide books. Later, he realized he had put something together wrong and needed to start over, so he just CALMLY took it apart and set it aside to take a break. CALMLY PEOPLE. No crying, no frustration, no anger, just the thought that he wanted to do it right, so he'd try again later.

I think I say this every year, but I think I'm going to like 8.