Wobbling Wednesday --- Day 38

Day 38

Today was Big Z's School Birthday Celebration. The after school treat was gluten-free brownies and banana slices ;-). What's cool about the celebration is the lighting of a candle while all the kids sit in circle. Then, each student comes one-by-one to Big Z and they give him a compliment, or say something nice, which often includes a "Happy Birthday!" or a "Have fun while you're 9!". Sometimes the kids have made cards and deliver these at the same time; sometimes there are airplanes, too. The teachers also give compliments, and so do parents.

What's so fun and heart-warming about this celebration is that it's really amazing to watch kids speak from their heart, sometimes copy each other, sometimes talk like each other, and to share their thoughts to Big Z for his special day. Sometimes kids pass. Some are confident and some are shy. Regardless, it's a very beautiful experience to hear every child wish my son a happy birthday. It's always lovely to hear the teachers share their appreciation for Big Z in ways that we don't always hear in conference. And, it's a special time for me and his Dad to share our love and appreciation for Big Z in front of his peers. Big Z says, "Thank you" after each person comes to him. He looks them in the eyes while he receives his gifts. He sometimes gets red in the face or smiles. And, of course it's sometimes a challenge not to get all choked up during this beautiful little ritual ;-).

The birthday child also gets to have a wallboard display of their photos in the class for a week or so, from birth to their current age. Much of my day was spent seeking photos as we've moved many times since this boy has been brought into my life. Therefore, as I sifted through history, I was struck by what a wonderful little boy I've been gifted . . . from his arrival in my belly to the maturing and young man that he is today. As I also came across family and friends, some who are with us and some who have passed on, I found that I was a blubbering sentimental mess a few times.

I also attempted a second batch of brownies since we thought our first batch may not feed all. Alas, by the time they cooled and I cut them up, I found that it appeared they didn't cook. So, in the oven they went again, and I cooked and I cooked and I cooked them, only to find that somehow, something just WASN'T right about this second batch. So, the first batch was cut in halves and somehow, someway, everyone was satiated anyhow ;-).

I took a peek at the new push towards blogtalk radio and listened to much of Ed B's Mythslayer while reading the Update.

We took in the a.m. and p.m. training calls.

I dare say nothing else got done besides posting some to the blog and going to bed early after a hot bath. For some reason, whatever got me is hanging on and I'm wimping out with body aches and headaches . . . I'm not as tough as some of you ;-). Big Z is complaining of a sore throat and fatigue, but, as always, he's making it through much better.

Proud as ever of the Boot Campers and all their efforts. Even though Ed got his chops busted in a firm and loving way on the call this a.m. by Ginny, I know there are many of us who need the same chop-busting. As such, all day I've been reflecting on what it is that's preventing certain areas of my own from moving forward . . . Message taken to heart, knowing that as much as Ginny intended her message to be for Ed, she also intended it to be to those of us who are also "not living up to our commitments to Self."