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Simon

A love letter to Simon, Age 9

by DaniGirl on February 1, 2013 · 11 comments

in Simon

My darling Simon, you are NINE years old today. You are my joker, my sweetheart, my comedian and my flirt. You are a natural charmer; you love people and they love you back. I have had more than one mom tell me in the last year that her little girl is head over heels with a crush on you, Mr Adorable.

Gloucester fair-2

This has been a great year for you, my Simon. You’ve shown that school comes easily for you, and you seem to do well in most of your classes. To my surprise, your best subject seems to be French. I did not see that one coming! Your teachers speak of you with affection, and I can see your classmates feel the same way. You zip through your homework quickly and without me even having to ask you, and your grades are enough to make any parent proud.

Leafy fun-4

Simon, you have a quick wit and you love to make people laugh. You are warmhearted and considerate and when you see someone is upset, you are quick to try to help with words or deeds. You like to help, to participate, and to please people. It’s easy to see why you have so many friends.

Simon

You have a surprisingly sophisticated sense of humour for a nine year old boy, and you play along with grown-up inside jokes as easily as you crack potty jokes and play fart humour. You have a teenager’s appreciation of pop culture, and if I need to know who the latest and greatest band is or who is that person everyone is talking about, I can come to you. It was YOU who introduced ME to LMFAO and Carly Rae Jepson and One Direction. I’m not sure if I feel older or younger because of it!

Cozumel, Mexico

You do love music, though. You took up piano lessons this year and to my delight you have really taken to them, whizzing through your first study book. I smile when I hear you randomly stop to pick out a tune on the keyboard, not because it’s practice time but because you simply enjoy playing. Your current favourite is Ode to Joy and you can play it from memory. I love that you have chosen to love the song that your dad and I walked down the aisle to many years ago!

Simon in the dandelions

You also continue to love video games. This year started with a Club Penguin obsession, but you have since migrated to a deep adoration of Minecraft. You also love to play Just Dance 4 on the Wii U, yet another way you drag your old mum’s muscial tastes forward from the 1990s. (Although truth be told, the Time Warp is my favourite track on that game!)

Wakefield

If you have an Achilles Heel, my sweet Simon, it’s that you can be snappish and cranky, especially with your brothers. We’ve taken to uttering the single word “Tone!” to remind you to speak with kindness whenever possible. I have marvelled aloud many times that it surprises me that one child can be so utterly charming, so kind and sweet and considerate of others, so empathetic and thoughtful – and so absolutely intolerant of his brothers in the same breath. Ah well, it is the nature of siblings, I suppose. Of course, they are clearly your best friends as well as your worst enemy, to which the many nighttime giggles emanating from your bedrooms attest.

Brothers

Your friends this year are Mason and Alexa and Dylan and Alex and Grace. This weekend, we’re having a simple party at home with a few friends, as you and your big brother were earlier given a choice: a big party and a little present, or a little party and a big gift. When you heard the gift I had in mind was your very own iPod Touch, there was no question in either of your minds which option to choose. (And then I got them for half price after the holidays and we were all delighted!)

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Simon, you are growing into a wonderful young fellow. Cheeky and wise beyond your years, sociable and outgoing, funny and attuned to those around you, it’s always a delight to have you around. Except when you’re cranky. But you’re so otherwise lovely, it’s easy to forgive you those times, too.

richmond fair-5

Happy birthday, my Simon. I’m proud to be your mom.


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I thought I had it all under control. Clearly, I did not.

Poor Lucas, poster boy for the third child, has reached the ripe old age of five and has never had a birthday party. Knowing this, we started making plans to ensure he actually got one this year in December, even though his birthday is February 8. A good six weeks in advance, we called and booked a party room and worked out a guest list. It was a lock.

Last Friday I was supposed to get the invitations, but I forgot them on my desk at work. Annoyed with myself, I figured two weeks less two days would still be plenty of notice. That Monday afternoon I sat down and wrote out all the invitations, confirmed the guest list with Lucas and stuffed them into his backpack to be distributed the next day at school. That’s when I found the invitation FOR Lucas, from a classmate.

For the same day.

For the same place.

For the very next time slot.

Yeah. Four straight hours of birthday party might be a little much for your average four year old to bear, don’t you think?

Luckily, I recognized the RSVP name as a mom who is also on the school council with me. I felt comfortable enough to call her and cross-check against her invitee list against mine, hoping there wouldn’t be too much duplication. The girls were no problem, he hadn’t wanted to invite any girls (Lucas takes after Simon in this regard; his bestie is a girl) but he had invited every boy in the class. Heartbroken for Lucas, I called to reschedule the party and the soonest time slot I could get was 10 days after his birthday. So much for planning.

Really, that was nothing more than circumstance and bad luck (although I can’t help castigating myself for not getting those invites out earlier!!) but I really can’t blame anyone but myself for what happened with Simon’s party.

Knowing the boys were desperate for their own handheld devices, we gave Tristan and Simon a choice this year – a big party and a little gift or a little party and an iPod Touch. Neither one hesitated to choose the iPod, of course. So we told them they could have three or four friends over in lieu of a party, and we’d have an extended sort of play date with cupcakes and birthday presents. (And then I scored the iPods at half off during a refurb sale after Christmas. Win-win!!)

So I picked up some invitations and wrote out three five (I am such a softie) and Simon sent them off to his friends last week. It was only earlier this week that I realized what I had done, or more specifically what I had NOT done. I hadn’t made a note, mental or otherwise, of what time we had put on the invitations.

“Um, Simon?”

“Yes Mommy?”

“Do you remember what time we put on the invitations for the party on Saturday?”

“Um, no?”

Rats.

I mean, it wasn’t a big deal. We would be home anyway. I was pretty sure I’d said 1:00, or maybe it was 1:30. It might have been 2:00. Probably not as late as 3:00, right? Hmmm. The only challenge would be coordinating the arrival of the grandparents, who wanted to appear in time for cupcakes but not endure two hours of a houseful of kids hepped up on birthday energy. I figured I’d just call them when kids started showing up and tell them to show up in an hour.

But, it was bugging me, so I casually approached one of the moms today at school pick-up.

“Hey, how are ya? Warm out today, eh?” I said, and we chatted briefly about the unseasonable warmth. “So, I um, have a kind of a favour to ask. Do you, um, happen to remember what time I put on the invitation for Simon’s party?” She thought it was hilarious and confirmed that it was, in fact, for 1:30.

I thought THAT was one of my finer parenting moments, until the phone rang earlier this evening.

Ring ring.

Me: “Hello?”

Child’s voice: “Um, hi. Is this Simon’s mom?”

Me: “Yep, that’s me! Did you want to talk to Simon?”

Child: “Um, actually, no. I was calling to talk to you.”

Me, mildly surprised: “Oh, okay then. What’s up?”

Child: “Well, Simon said you forgot what time the party is, and we thought that it might be important that you know, you know? So I checked the invitation, and it says 1:30. Just so, you know, you, um, know. Okay?”

Me, dying: “That is very considerate of you sir. We will look forward to seeing you on Saturday.”

One of my finer moments indeed.

Moral of the story: do not, under any circumstances, hire me as a party planner.


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When I started this blog a million years ago, one of the dreams I held was that I might some day have my writing published in a major glossy magazine. My storytelling focus has wandered from my keyboard to my camera over the years, but I have never lost my love of telling a good anecdote. And now, I am super-proud to be able to share this: my first publishing credit on TodaysParent.com!

Click on over and enjoy my contribution to their new feature: Melt-Your-Heart Moments. I wrote about that most amazing parenting moment: watching your child’s first dance recital, first choir concert, or first halting acting performance as the third tree to the left in the school Christmas pageant.

Very timely, too (I love it when the universe is synchronific!) because just today my heart melted into a pile of proud goo at the school talent show where not one but TWO boys took to the stage. Simon and his buddies brought the house down with their dance routine to LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem (there are not words nor photos that could do it justice), and Tristan finished off his first year of guitar lessons with a solo on stage.

talent show 2012

Could I be any prouder? I think this is as good as it gets.


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The wisdom of Simon

by DaniGirl on March 18, 2012 · 0 comments

in Simon

Simon and I in the car, chatting amiably as we drive back from buying new school shoes for Simon, when a propos of nothing he says, “You know, you’re really lucky to have such a smart dad.”

The non-sequitor throws me for a loop and I’m quiet for a minute, wondering where this is coming from and where it might be going. “Um, yes,” I say eventually. Then, “How so?”

“I like how he knows so much stuff. He tells me all sorts of facts that I didn’t know about.” I chuckle to myself. My dad does like teaching the boys things.

Simon is continuing. “Once, when I was playing video games, he was telling me about when he was a kid and there were no video games, and what the first video games were like.” I’m delighted Simon is receptive to him. Not every eight year old boy is interested in hearing about the old days, back in the 1980s. Even so, I try to interject, telling him there were no video games when *I* was a kid, either, but Simon is more interested in Papa Lou’s perspective than mine. “It’s cool being old. I can’t wait until I’m old and I know so much stuff, too, and I can tell my grandkids all about it.”

And, my darling, perceptive, sensitive Simon, I hope they show the same sweet appreciation that you do. Thanks for making me smile.


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A love letter to Simon, age 8

by DaniGirl on February 1, 2012 · 5 comments

in Simon

My dear, darling Simon,

You, my middlest boy, are eight years old today. Of course, in your own mind you’ve been eight years old for at least as long as your older brother was that age. You may be the only eight year old boy I know who is dipping his toes in the ‘tween years!

Simon in the snow

My sweet Simon, you continue to be the family ham. You have a flair for drama, for humour, and for performance. You are warm and generous and like to see people happy. You impressed all the grown-ups in the family immensely just this weekend at your birthday party, when you offered completely without prompting to share the two months of Club Penguin memberships you received with your older brother, knowing that he wanted one as badly as you did. You are truly a kindhearted, generous soul.

Log farm (2 of 6)

School seems to come easily to you, as does making friends. Your last report cards contain nothing but praise. You also seem to think and speak way beyond your years. You are argumentative and challenging when it suits you, and relentlessly curious. While I know these traits will do you very well in the long run, I do have to admit that they’re occasionally exasperating to a parent. ;)

The thing I most admire about you, Simon, is that you accept everyone as your peer and your equal. Whether conversing with an adult, a younger child or a teenager, you simply assume that you are friends and that you will be accepted as an equal. I think a lot of people could learn a lesson or two from this! On the same token, you do occasionally need to be reminded that you are NOT an adult and not privy to every conversation that happens between adults, and have been chastised for cheekily calling teachers by their first names.

236:365 Simon on the swing

You continue to be a fussy eater. You like what you like and you are stubborn when you don’t like something or you think you might not like something. You have finessed the “I can’t eat any more, my stomach hurts” excuse when there is nothing left but vegetables on your plate. You like spicy food and love that Daddy occasionally lets you drink pop with your dinner. Your favourite dinners are tacos, pizza and (sigh) McDonalds. You also like the idea of cooking and baking, and have asked to make your own lunch or breakfast several times, and you asked for and received an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas. You, my boy, are a child who was born to break stereotypes. :)

Your friends are Alexander and Mason and Olivia, and of course all of your big brother’s friends, too. You like Club Penguin, Super Mario Brothers, Pokemon, the Wii and the DS. You love to play board games and card games, but you also love your “Puffle” stuffies. You are less enthusiastic about active, outdoor games, but you are a much better sport about getting out and moving than you used to be, especially if there are other kids about. This year you joined Beaver Scouts and seem to love it, perhaps in part because Daddy has signed up as a Beaver leader to help out. I think we’re both relieved that we decided against enrolling you in hockey this year.

Simon in the snow

Sweet Simon, your endless warmth and affection more than make up for your occasional sharp temper and impatience with your little brother. You’re on your way to a larger-than-life personality, and it’s delightful watching you grow up. It’s also wonderful to simply spend time with you, and we love you very much.

117:365 Simon in the treehouse

Happy birthday, Simon my love. I wish you every dream your heart can wish — and with your creative imagination, there is no end to the possibilities that may bring.


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A love letter to Simon, Age 7

by DaniGirl on February 1, 2011 · 12 comments

in Simon

My sweet Simon, you are seven years old today.

Simon sledding

Seven! On the one hand, it seems like you were a toddler just yesterday. On the other hand, though, you are an old soul and have always had a grown-up kind of mentality to you. You’re just as happy chatting with adults as with kids your own age, and I truly don’t think you see the age gap between yourself and your older brother’s peers.

542:1000 Simon in B&W

Some of your favourite things right now are Smurfs, Super Mario and Scaredy Squirrel. You love to play games on your Dad’s iTouch, or on the DS, or on the computer, or on the Wii. In fact, you’d happily choose a screen over just about any activity. You also like to play board games, though, and are always up for a game of Mancala with me.

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This year, you and I visited the arena every Thursday night for skating lessons, and you pleased yourself and us when you demonstrated this summer that you could swim across the deep end of the pool unassisted. I think you’d be happy if you could spend the whole summer in the pool! You’ve just started basketball class too, and you love that so far.

389b:1000 Go for the gold, Canada!

You are warm and generous in nature. When you received several beyblade toys for your birthday, you were happy to share one with your brother. You tend to have a little more patience for your bigger brother than your little brother, though! In all, you are a sweet and thoughtful brother who likes to make both his big and little brother happy. You are also, truth be told, a relentless snitch — but I think that’s a stage you’re now growing out of. ;)

551:1000 Christmas card outtake

Your friends this year are Regan, Mason, Alexander and Katitsa… and all your older brother’s friends, too. You continue to have a way with the ladies, and are on your second girlfriend in as many years. You settled quickly in to your new school, and you seem to be doing very well. This year you have learned to read and write, although your mother occasionally gives you a hard time for not taking the time to make your writing legible. You’re learning French, too, and you love your special music class with the Sacred Music Society. You are definitely a man of letters!

530:1000 First day of school!

Your favourite foods are pepperoni pizza, fajitas, and just about any fast food. We still have nightly battles of will over what you will and will not eat, and although your old mom has started taking a “too bad, eat it anyway” tough love approach with you, you seem to be at least willing to try new things now and I think your repertoire of “acceptable” foods is growing.

Mahone Bay ice cream!

My sweet Simon, I couldn’t be more proud of you. I enjoy the time we spend together, and I love your generosity, your sweet and endless affection and your appreciation for the beauty in life. You are sunny and sweet and compassionate. You are my thoughtful son, tuned in to your own emotions and those of the people around you.

38:365 Happy Birthday Simon!

Happy birthday, my beautiful boy. May this be seven times the best year ever!


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A love letter to Simon, age 6

1 February 2010 Simon

Happy Birthday, my dearest darling Simon. Today, you are six years old! My dear Simon, where do I start to tell you how wonderful you are? You are a charmer and a character. If any member of our family goes on to win an Academy Award, or a Genie, or even to star in a [...]

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Love letter to Simon, Age 5

1 February 2009 Simon

My dearest darling Simon, You are five years old today. Five! And you are five times as sweet, five times as smart, and five times as silly as you’ve ever been. This has been a wonderful, busy, exciting year for you. Just after your last birthday, you welcomed your baby brother Lucas into your life [...]

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(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: My back-to-school boys

3 September 2008 A thousand words

Simon’s first day of Junior Kindergarten! (My babies! What happened to my babies???)

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4022

5 July 2008 Meta-blogging

Four-thousand and twenty-two. It’s Simon’s magic number, a quantity that delineates anything between a lot and infinity. As in, “Is my time out done yet? Because I’ve been here for 4022 minutes.” Or, “When I grow up, I’m going to have 4022 webkinz.” Or, “Do I have to eat another pea? I already ate 4022 [...]

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