1999 Entry (Boys and Bears)

Of Bears, Boys, and Birthdays

Today is my little boy’s birthday. He’s ten years old. It’s so odd to think of him being a “double digit” now. I wasn’t sure if he’d really enjoy this, but I made plans to take him to the Build-a-Bear Workshop. I had heard that you could actually go there and pick out a ‘skin,’ then have it stuffed and pick out clothes, etc. etc. It seemed as if this might be too “babyish” for my guy, but I took him anyway.

It wasn’t cheap, but when I saw the looks on the faces of him and his friend, I knew it was no mistake. They each selected a bear and went through the process of getting it stuff, stitched, fluffed, and clothed. They even put little hearts into their bears and made a wish. (Oddly enough, they both made the same wish… that their bear would really come to life!) Even at ten they talked about how much they loved their bears and they played with them at home, treating them like new babies/new friends.

P.S. — This is not an advertisement for Build-a-Bear even though it may sound like it. It’s just a fun place to go and, to tell you the truth, I’m already planning out the bear that I’ll make when my birthday rolls around.

Tonight he had a sleep over party. Five boys in my living room, all very loud and energetic. I hid in the bedroom with the cats, but my husband (brave soul) entertained them and took them to the store.

(The next morning….)

I awoke to the sound of my husband calling one of the other dads to come pick up his boy because the boy wasn’t feeling well. Next, I hear said boy tap on the bathroom door and inform another boy within that he was just about to throw up. Sitting bolt upright in bed I yelled to my husband to get this kid a ‘barf bucket’ (as we so charmingly call it).

I hear my husband pull out the bucket, then I hear the child vomiting over and over again while my husband comforted him. Once done with that I hear my spouse move to the living room and remind a different little boy he’s supposed to take his medicine. I think to myself what a great mom/wife my husband would make and chuckle at the rings he’s jumping through as I listen. I think, though, that these are the moments when I’m most awed by my spouse. His good nature and ability to juggle so much at once are sort of a turn on. His tolerance and skill with kids are admirable. And the fact that he got up this morning with our little guests really cements how much I adore the man! 😉 That’s just one of the many ways I’m so blessed.

So now all the kids are gone home and it’s night. Time for all of us to ‘hit the bed.’ I’m still working at my old job on Mondays so I’m not looking forward to the morning. But every day has a new delight for me and tomorrow will be no different. I’ll be with my husband and I’ll be with my boy and I’ll feel like the luckiest woman in the world.