thirteen

Admit it, you’re tired of our birthdays. Even we are weary of cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I won’t lie, fourth child, fourth boy, third birthday this week– Xander holds the hardest spot in our family. But he deserves no less celebration than the rest of the family.

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In truth, Xander masterminds most of our parties. Weeks before each holiday he drags out boxes and construction paper, helps me hang pinwheels and gladly climbs on the ladder to suspend crepe paper or garlands. He prefers to stay in the background, constructing the magic rather than standing in the spotlight.

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Officially, he’s a teenager today, but Xander is still very much a little boy. We grow ’em slow at our house. Legos and marbles litter his room and he hasn’t the slightest desire for a cell phone. For his birthday he wanted this puzzle ball (which I think he’s regretting because it’s crazy hard) and a bunch of balloons to float his Lego and Playmobil guys.

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Hans created this fabulous airship.

Intensely curious, the world disappears as Xander dismantles an old television set, studies beekeeping or dissects a music box just to see the inner workings.

PhotobucketXman always, always whistles while he works

Well known for his quick and sometimes sharp wit, Xander also writes the sweetest notes you can imagine. Fairly often I’ll find a folded square on my desk apologizing for some misdeed, expressing love and covered with silly drawings. No matter how hectic our house becomes at bedtime Xander drags me into his room where we lay on the bottom bunk, admire his glow-in-the-dark stars and talk about the day.

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I hope he always wants to talk to me.

Sure love that boy.

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7 Comments

  1. Tracy

    February 6, 2012

    Happy Birthday, Xander! xoxo

  2. Cath

    February 6, 2012

    Ah, so sweet. Darling Xander. Happy Birthday!! And here’s to cake for one more week! 😉

  3. Erica

    February 6, 2012

    i honestly want all your parenting secrets….

  4. Selwyn

    February 6, 2012

    Happy birthday Xander!

    May your glue always stick, your glue always hold, your Lego never be under your descending foot and your birthdays as awesome as you!

  5. Rachelle

    February 7, 2012

    We grow ’em slow at our house, too, and I think it’s for the best. Happy birthday, Xander!

  6. Michelle

    February 7, 2012

    Nope, not tired of birthdays. Not at all.

    I like 13.

  7. Annie

    February 8, 2012

    I love that you grow ’em slow. We do, too, at our house. There’s no rush :).

    And not tired of birthdays. Happy birthday, Xander!

Comments are closed.