Happy Birthday, Mister Man!

Current Giveaways:

Disney Live! Presents Mickey's Magic Show tickets here
E is for Ethics children's book here
Precious Moments here

***

Mister Man turned seven today. It wasn't nearly so difficult for me this year as it was last year. Maybe it's because he's already spent a year in full day school or because he'd already gotten so tall. Regardless, this year it was again a birthday. And I think that's a good thing.

My husband and I were out of town for a wedding this weekend, so I called Mister Man this morning to wish him a happy birthday as soon as we woke up. When I asked if he felt any different now that he is seven, he had some very serious answers for me.

Mom. I grew again. I think I got another five inches taller overnight. I'm worried that my clothes aren't going to fit me anymore.

My head feels all different inside, too. I think my brain might be a little bit bigger now. And guess what? I decided that monsters really aren't real. And that I'm not afraid of them anymore because they aren't there. That's what my brain did now that I turned seven.

Needless to say, my husband and I hit the road as soon as possible after that so that we could get home and spend at least part of his birthday with him - and make his strawberry cake with cherry icing that he'd requested.

Mister Man's biggest thrill of the day had to be his birthday missions. We listen to Kids Place Live regualarly, and the afternoon host Absolutely Mindy will give kids three birthday missions that they "have" to do in order to turn another year older. I emailed her requesting birthday missions, and at 3:30 this afternoon, she delivered.

First came the Yoda parody song from Weird Al Yankovic. Then we had our missions specifically for Mister Man.

1. Find something that doesn't belong on birthday cake - a mushroom, bananas, whatever - and put it on your cake today. Then you have to eat it.

2. Tape a penny to your head. Then if anyone asks you why you have a penny on your head, you can tell them that you're making sure that if you run out of money, you'll always have another penny.

3. All week long, anytime someone asks you a question that has "no" for an answer, instead reply "No-bi Wan Kenobi!"

I love them, and Mister Man was thrilled. T-H-R-I-L-L-E-D. Especially because she played the Star Wars theme afterwards. My Star Wars obsessed child (who has never seen any of the movies or cartoons by the way) was in heaven.

He immediately ran upstairs and got a penny from his piggy bank and used lots of tape to ensure it stayed on his forehead. When his grandpa arrived, he couldn't wait to tell him why he had a penny on his forehead.

And the cake? We didn't have mushrooms, so we decided to put French toast and bacon on his strawberry cake with cherry icing. And then he proceeded to eat it and love it. My mom's stomach isn't quite so strong, but Mister Man thought it was neat.

And yes, we are of course still cracking up at the "No-bi Wan Kenobi" cheerfully isssuing from Mister Man's mouth. I'm just hoping that his teacher gets it and he doesn't get in trouble at school.

Missions accomplished, I officially am the proud mama of a seven year old.

Yep, We Go To Catholic School; Why Do You Ask?

Before I forget, I have three giveaways right now - two very newly posted and in my humble opinion all pretty darn cool! Go check them here, here, and here.

***

The other day, I was driving carpool on the way home. As always, the second children step into my car (all four of them in the carpool - and soon to be five, which means less driving for me!), the request is made to change my radio to Kids Place Live. As long as the request is made nicely, I generally acquiesce readily.

On Friday, Absolutely Mindy (the afternoon host who cracks me up and I really enjoy - especially when she's interacting with the kids who call into the show) was talking about the baby that she's been "baking in the oven for the past nine months" and her need to name it.

She was soliciting suggestions from the kids and was determined to find a name based on them. My personal favorite (only because the parent who called in apparently had a change of heart) was schwa umlaut - a two symbol name. The parents were apparently seriously considering the name and only changed their minds in the delivery room, if memory serves. Hey, at least that kid would have had an easy time spelling his name.

After listening for a few moments, Mister Man piped up.

Mom, I need to talk to Absolutely Mindy. I have an idea for her baby name.

Do you, Sweetie? What name would you choose for her baby?

It isn't a specific name. But I need to tell her something. Her baby's first name has to be a saint's name. He sounded somewhat concerned at the thought that it wouldn't be (this was just after the schwa umlaut suggestion).

Well. It could be a middle name. So long as the middle name is a saint's name, it's ok. But it would really be more appropriate for the first name to be a saint's name.

Isn't that sweet? My little boy has already picked up more Catholic doctrine in kindergarten than I remember (then again, maybe that's why the priest baptized my sister Margaret Anne instead of her given name - because technically neither was a saint's name). And he's concerned about a stranger's baby's spiritual health.

Ok, and it sorta cracked me up. Fortuntately, Mindy played one of his favorite songs right after this observation, so his attention was distracted and we did not have to call in to offer this tidbit of wisdom.