Halloween 2009

The boys recovered from their flu bugs (Toby literally willed himself well) in time to fully enjoy the holiday. Our tradition for the past several years is to gather with friends for dinner and fun at their house and the kids trick-or-treat in their neighborhood. Toby was a vampire and was super-excited to have his face painted. He decided he didn't like the way the fangs felt in his mouth, so he was a fangless vampire. Jonah was a pirate and had lots of fun putting his costume together. I kept thinking all evening of an editorial in yesterday's Star-Tribune: the writer commented that Halloween is a time of celebrating the beauty of darkness and where children can trust in the treats behind closed doors and the kindness given by strangers.

Fall

Here are a few photos from recent fall weeks. The boys watched the life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly, releasing the butterfly so it could fly south for winter. One Saturday my friend Tracey and I harvested and canned 30 quarts of tomatoes and made and canned a large batch of pizza/spaghetti sauce. Jonah and Toby have played lots and lots of soccer too!

Nine Years Old

Nine years ago I had no idea what you would be like on August 28, 2009, your halfway mark to adulthood. All I knew was that my due date had come and gone nearly 2 weeks before. While we could hardly wait to meet you, you apparently weren't in a hurry to meet the world. It took us awhile to figure out that this was part of your personality: you do things on your own timeline and you're not about to be pushed into something you're not ready for.

You are warm, sensitive, bright, active and fun-loving. You love music, reading, and climbing. As an introvert, you need and value your quiet time alone, but you love to be with your family and friends as well. You and Toby love to play together and your laughter is a comforting soundtrack to our days.

Just a few years ago you were extremely shy and it was difficult for you to talk to adults. Today, it is easy to see you connect with others. You make friends easily. You will talk to just about anyone, and although the subject is often whatever is on your mind at the moment, you are comfortable and confident talking to grownups.

Watching you move your body has always been seeing distilled pure joy; whether it's your laughter as you swing up high in a swing (and lately, fly off the swing onto the ground), your cartwheels across the lawn, your abandon as you flip off the trampoline or careen off the vault in gymnastics. It is wonderful to witness and I hope you always keep that freedom of movement: it is a gift. This year, you have developed a love for soccer and you have fun on the field!

That you would develop a love of reading was my wish for you when you were born. I've enjoyed the journey that began with my reading picture books to my baby Jonah to helping you learning to sound out words and reading chapter books together to your now independent reading.

You are sensitive and thoughtful. You have always had BIG feelings and equally big reactions to your feelings. Your sensitivity is a wonderful trait, and allows you to empathize with others and feel great joy when all is right in your world. It is when all is not right in the world that leads to problems. You have matured a great deal in the last year and are learning to work through some of the frustration and disappointment that you feel so deeply.

I was so proud of you when you began giving your money to Simpson Housing Services and your face lights up when you talk about wanting to be a hero by helping others.

This past year, you have started to stretch your wings a bit and are expressing a wish for more independence. You have begun taking Zoey on short walks and sometimes opt to stay home alone for five minutes if we're out walking around the block. I can see you chafing for more independence; I feel our struggles with how much and when to let go and when to hold tight. I know that this will be a dance that we'll have plenty of time to perfect over the next nine years as the transition from dependent child to independent adult occurs. Your new room is one step in this transition: you seem to love having a space that you can call your own and I'm glad we could give you a birthday gift that you will enjoy for years to come.

Jonah, I am so proud of the boy you've become and the wonderful unique combination of traits that you possess. I could not have imagined you nine years ago; and yet, today, I cannot imagine NOT having you in my life.

Step confidently into this bright new tenth year; embrace each day and all it offers!

Happy birthday, Jonah! I love you!