Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Caleb's sixth birthday was Saturday.  And, yes, if you're keeping track, all three of our children have January birthdays.  Convenient, no?

 On Friday, Claire and I took frosted cookies to his class to celebrate with his friends.  They sang "Happy Birthday" in English and Spanish and then he made a wish and blew out the candles.

He wished, or so he told me, to go to his favorite restaurant with his family to celebrate turning 6.  Luckily for him, that was precisely what was in store.

 Cafe Ole is a Mediterranean tapas/mezze restaurant just a few blocks from our house.  We have been there several times and each time we walk or drive by the boys ask when we're going again.  They love the food, especially Caleb, and I suspect this visit for their birthdays will not be our last before heading East.

 After dinner we stopped for ice cream cones and then went home to open the presents that have been sitting in our living room for weeks.  The boys have been really patient, but they were so happy to finally tear into their loot.  Grandparents sent lots of games, books, and a Snuggie for each of them and Caleb was thrilled with each item.

 With the arrival of Claire, we have been talking a lot about what it was like when the boys were born.  Caleb in particular is curious about everything surrounding his birth and babyhood.  He loves to hear stories about how he was a terrible sleeper, but also couldn't stay awake long enough to eat 2 ounces of formula.  He wanted to know which room at the hospital he was born in and if he and Claire had the same doctor.  I distinctly remember being handed his car seat with him snugly strapped in getting ready to be discharged from the hospital and thinking, "That's it?  You're just going to let me have him?  Do I need to sign something or take a class or...?"  But, no, he was ours as much then as he is now and hooray for that.

 Caleb is smart and sensitive.  He loves music and has a great memory for lyrics.  He sings and hums all the time and often makes up his own songs.  He loves to read and be read to.  He loves to laugh and play games and make jokes.  He is uber-inquisitive and never runs out of questions.  He is adventurous in all things, especially food and will eat just about anything.
 
 Caleb is a fun older brother.  He likes to play with (read, sometimes drive crazy) Isaac.  He loves things that go fast, and he loves to go fast too.  He would play Wii non-stop if allowed, but also enjoys jumping and running and is turning into quite the little sports adept.  On Sunday afternoons he loves to curl up on the couch next to his dad and watch the big game (football, basketball, etc.).

In many ways, Caleb is an ideal first child.  He is helpful and generous.  He is fun-loving and friendly.  He is responsible and well-behaved.  And, perhaps most importantly, he is a very patient guinea pig and forgiving of our parenting mistakes.  We could not have imagined what the future would bring that day in the hospital when we walked out with him, but we couldn't be happier with how it has unfolded and are excited to see what happens next.

0 comments:

 

Design by Custom Blog Designs/FreeStyleMama Creations