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| Your dramatic Tap Dancing pose... |
And now you are 7
You’ve waiting a long time, 7 years precisely, to be the age
that is your favourite number. And finally the long wait is here. No doubt you will bound out of bed at
7:00 to announce to us and the world that NOW you are SEVEN.
OR perhaps you won’t. Because, lets face it kid, you’re not
exactly a morning person. Most mornings you roll out of bed around 7:30 all
scraggly haired and dopey eyed, refusing to even DISCUSS breakfast options
until you’ve had at least a few moments of silent sitting, taking the day in
until you are ready to join in and be a part of it.
This has always been your approach to life, Toby. You observe
first, and act later. I have to
say, the world would be a better place if more people (myself included) adopted
this philosophy…
The one exception to your wake up ritual is on Mondays and
Wednesdays when your little sister has to go to daycare and is rushed out of
the house by 7:15. You usually
make a very VERY groggy appearance, sometimes with your pants or shirt on
backwards or inside out. But you
make the effort to be there if only for that split second before she goes out
the door, so you can send her off on her day with a morning hug. You understand the full importance of
your morning hug; on mornings when you don’t make it down in time, I am faced
with a groggy, dopey eyed, scraggly haired and often CRYING Toby.
Yes, that’s right, you cry. I hear your rushing down the stairs frantically and then quite literally see your heart breaking when you realize she has already been whisked off before you got to give her a goodbye hug. The love you have for your little sister, and she for you, is another thing you’ve taught me. I thought only a parent’s love ran that deep; yours and Mia’s is a pretty close second.
By the time we get to the car ride to school you are your usual chatty self, managing to fill the entire 6-minute drive (YOU timed it) with a vast array of conversation topics.
My absolute favourite came about last week. I had been awarded all of 10
seconds of silence when you suddenly heaved a great, dramatic SIGH from the
back seat and announced to me that you were “The happiest you have ever been in
your entire life.”
You might not understand this until you have kids of your
own, Toby, but there is absolutely NOTHING better to hear as a parent. The suddenness and earnestness of your
statement choked me up and it took me a second to regain my composure in order
to ask you more details about this sudden burst of euphoria.
“OH, I don’t know,” you said casually, “Maybe I’m just
excited for my birthday….”
Maybe you were. But maybe also it’s also because you DO have
a pretty sweet life right now.
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| Go #7, Go! |
You excel at SO many things; sports, reading, math and tap dancing
just to name a few. And then there
are your random skills like your incredible ability to read sports stats in the
newspaper and replicate sports stats “just for fun” (How weird is that??) Or your keen interest in geography and
your crazy knowledge of every country’s flag that is on your flag placement. (Which is about 88…and, I dare say, a
ludicrous number of flags to know by heart at your age!)
You have a great capacity to love. You love Zack and are often the only one in the family to
give him the attention he deserves each day. You love your friends and care deeply and with great concern
when they are away sick from school or get into trouble…and you love your family. You say this each and every night when
you wake up and insist on hugging us all before we part for the day. You express this at dinner each night
with your heart felt graces imploring the world to always keep us together. And you say this at bedtime with your
intimate chats and good night snuggles.
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| You may not love Arts and Crafts but you love Valentines day |
That quote is perfect for MORE than one reason. But it’s your birthday so I won’t even
MENTION your incredible ability to be the MESSIEST EATER I HAVE EVER MET.
You’re an old soul, Toby. Your methodical and thoughtful approach to each day and each
new situation has taught even your old mom a valuable new skill. You know what’s important in life –
morning hugs, friendship, kindness and meaningful conversations. But most of all, you find meaning, joy
and opportunities for growth in everything you do. I have learned so much from you in our 7 years together; I’m
a lucky mommy to have you as my boy.
I can’t wait to see where you are in 7 more…
Love and hugs today and always
XO x99
(Guess who taught me THAT trick??)
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| Your birthday morning at breakfast...not so bleary eyed today! Amazing what presents and muffins can do... |
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