Gloria in Excelsis Deo

"Mommy, a garbage truck. Like the one I had. Thank you."

"I wanted a city bus. Thank you."

Be still my beating heart. By the grace of God, I am trying to rear a mannerable, respectful, grateful young man. So why was I taken aback when he thanked me after he opened his two favorite birthday gifts at his birthday observed party? Maybe because I don't know if I was as thankful at his age on my birthday. Or maybe because the sincerity in his voice served as reminder that my baby is getting older, maturing. Or maybe it was in hearing his words was like God's way of showing me, encouraging me to keep on the parenting path that I'm on. Sort of, a hey, look, see, you're doing a good job.

The clothes and camera weren't such a big hit, but how could they be in the face of not one but two more things to push around the house. Cause that's what we really need in our tiny house more things with wheels.

He smiled brightly and couldn't wait to go home and play with him. He didn't notice nor mind that none of his cousins were able to come celebrate his birthday with him. And based on the number of tokens, he and his sisters went through I don't know if I could have afforded more people to come.

Abounding in his delight of his presents, I was glad I hadn't caved to pressure to buy him a Nintendo DS. Though yesterday, I almost felt bad he didn't have one. Okay, well not really but...His twelve-year-old cousin was in shock that Jory didn't have a DS and proceeded to rattle over every single person in our family who had one, which seemingly is everyone except for Jory and his sisters. His seven-year-old cousin was nodding her head in agreement as she played with her DS. I found myself on the verge of explaining my reasoning to the twelve-year-old and I stopped myself, but with Jory standing there I did feel bad because I wondered if he felt bad. I wondered if he felt hurt or left out because his mommy has made the decision not to buy him any electronic gaming equipment unless he asks for it.

There on my birthday, at his school, it hit me. I couldn't always protect him from hurt. I wouldn't always be able to save him from getting his feelings hurt or from not feeling like one of the group. Regina Belle's If I Could ran through my mind, as I caressed his head.

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn’t mine
I’ll watch you grow, so I can let you go

If I could
I’d help you make it through the hungry years
But I know that I can never cry your tears
But I would If I could

My poor baby. Why would anyone want to hurt him? He's the second greatest person to be born on Christmas.

And secondly and selfishly for my own sanity I'm glad he doesn't have a DS because he is so non-competitive it hurts me. It pains me to watch him play games. No, Jory, the point of your V-Tech V-Motion Smile (an educational wii for young kids) Toy Story game is to get Buzz Lightyear to the airport as quickly as possible while collecting the stars in the road and avoid hitting other cars. The point is not, "Mommy, there's a red van like yours. I'm going to drive next to you. Oooh, there's Oma's car, I'm going to drive with her." UGH!

I can't be in the same room with him when he's playing, literally, physically I have to be in another room. I'm not an overly competitive person, but watching my baby play his games is like nails on a chalkboard to me. He starts playing and I turn into the poster child of those dumb t-shirts. I want to shout, "Jory, the person with the most points wins!" Maybe this is why we don't play board games so I don't have to hear him say, "I'm the third first place winner." Uh, dude, there's only three of us playing and you lost. I have to bite my tongue.

It wasn't intentional, but he roamed around Chuck E. Cheese (his annual party site) all by himself. (Can someone explain to me why there were 12 billion people there this year? Each year the number of people grows. Why are they taking over our birthday spot? Shouldn't those parents be out shopping or at home cooking or out of town? Why must they be so selfish? Chuck E. on Christmas Eve aka Jory's birthday observed is suppose to be our quiet, empty spot like it was two years ago and before.)

He spent his tokens on whatever games or rides he wanted without my knowledge. If he played a game where you didn't get tickets if you win, I didn't know it. Maybe that was my belated birthday present. No anxiety at Chuck E. Cheese due to Jory not getting the point is to get as many tickets as humanly possible so you can trade them in for toys worth three cents, and three cents is being generous.

All in all, Jory and the girls had a great time. He came home and immediately opened his gifts. FYI, Playmobil, you should give people a head's up when they have to assemble buses. Oma wasn't able to do it, I didn't even attempt, so now I pray we have all the parts and will take it with us tomorrow so Uncle Mort or Uncle Bobby can properly put it together. Mad shout out to Mr. Jory himself, who attempted to put it together. He is so beautifully and wonderfully made. He's a genius. And such a boy. It would be so great if he taught himself how to build things. Hmm, maybe. You know his father is a Jewish carpenter. Maybe he's inheriting the skills.

And say a prayer for the parents who seemed to think taking their looked to be fifteen-year-old, thirteen-year-old, nine-year-old, six-year-old, and one-year-old to Chuck E. Cheese, for free babysitting, with no money while I assume their Christmas shopped was a good idea. Chuck E. Cheese and no money don't exist in the same world. We gave them the pizza we were taking home and the tickets Jory didn't cash in. As we walked out, I saw them devouring the pizza. I get getting in and out of the car with five kids is no walk in the park and going in and out of the stores with them can be nerve racking, but still. It was heartbreaking. Pray for the family.


And finally, we want to send a very happy birthday wish and a big kiss and hug to our favorite Aunt LaLa! I hope your birthday was everything you hoped it could be. And like my boy, you are so fearfully and wonderfully made and you're pretty and smart. Why aren't you off the market yet?