He's eight!

A few weekends ago we went to Big Daddy's brother's house out in the boondocks. Joeys cousin has rollerblades. She helped Joey slip on her blades so that he could glide or skid (whatever you call it at this point)around the driveway.

Well....

He was hooked.

"Mommy, I want rollerblades for my birthday." he says.

Having already bought his birthday presents, I say,

"Go tell Ammie. I'll bet she'll get them for you."

He tells Ammie and she takes him to the store friday afternoon to buy the coveted

rollerblades.

He wakes up birthday morning, which luckily happens to be a Saturday. It is 7 am.

"Mommy?..."

"Mommy?..."

I'm pretending not to wake up so that he'll go to Big Daddys side of the bed.

No luck.

"Mommy?..."

I mutter.

"Can I go outside and rollerblade?"

"Sure."

Now that I've been waken up, I'm up. No getting back to sleep. Unfortunate I know.

I'm a big sleeper and I enjoy 8 or 9 hours a night but if I get waken up after a good solid four or more hours? that's it, I'm up, can't fall back. This is why I ask the children to bother their Daddy in the morning. He can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, anytime, anywhere. I think it's an old man thing.

So while he's been skating, I am searching for a birthday outing. What would make more sense than Skateland?

Nothing!!!

Skateland it is!

So now here it is noon.

"Joey, come in for lunch."

"Do I have to take my skates off?"

Really? He's been skating since 7am, 5 hours. And he wants to wear them in the house?

"Yes! Take the skates off and get in here!"

Here is Big Daddy, Joey and his cousin Anthony.

The kid skated up a storm. He's ready to go back asap. The rollerblades were a big hit.

And do you know what else was a big hit???

This Book!

Now hear this. Joey has never been a big reader.

He neeever wants to read.

He throws a big fit if you ask him to read or if there is reading involved in his homework.

I would go so far as to say that Joey despises reading. UNTIL.....

This book.

Oh thank you author-of-this-book-that-I'm-too-lazy-to-get-up-and-get- so-I-can-type-your-name, thank you!

Thank you, and thanks to his reading teacher at school, gotta recognize, you know.

The eighth birthday was a great success. Joey was happy with his gifts. He was happy to share it, as usual, with his twin sister. She had a great birthday. All in attendence had a great time. What more can a mom ask for? ...Happy healthy and eight years old!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!

YOU ARE LOVED!