I actually started posting again, but a few people noticed that Monkey was nowhere to be found. Well, he rudely left us to spend some time with his father over the school break. (I kid! He is always very polite.) He was away for a bit and I tried very hard not to miss him. I failed.
Have I mentioned how much I love the kids having iPhones? I love the kids having iPhones. Of course, for the first week Monkey was gone, I didn’t even hear from him. I finally sent him a series of ARE YOU DEAD? messages and he responded.
As you can see, he’s really growing up, cursing appropriately yet succinctly (and with enough restraint that I don’t have to admonish him). It brings a little tear to my eye. MAH BAYBEE.
Every milestone feels super-significant with this boy of mine. Even the ones where he’s being a completely age-appropriate little turd. (Hint: Who was tasked with coming up with a project topic two weeks before this conversation? Three guesses and the first two don’t count because c’mon now.) Otto and I have gotten into the habit of saying to each other, “Awwwww, he’s being a regular teenager!”
And he is, mostly. That’s pretty cool.
Monkey also—I hope you’re sitting down, if you’ve been around here for a long time and picture him as a preschooler—turned 15. I KNOW. It’s true, though. I wrote about it over on Alpha Mom, because he’s still my baby, even if he is bigger than me.
15? That’s effing impossible.
Wow. Just wow!
I’ve just been reading through your archives, even though I’ve been a fan and reading here for years. Just a few days ago, I was reading about his recommending you refer to his age as “thirt” until you were ready to accept that he was a teen. I guess you’ve now accepted it ;) I’m glad the cinnamon roll tradition continues!
aw… happy birthday Monkey!!
Happy birthday, Monkey!
Aw, yay Monkey! Is it weird to say that I’m proud of your kids? I just get so excited on their behalf. It’s fun to cheer them on anonymously from afar. I know there are ups and downs and bumps, but I have so much hope for your kids. I think it’s the kind of hope I have for all young people who are on their way to figuring things out. I just want to cheer everyone on and holler, “You can do it!”
I <3 Monkey. Always have. (Also: Your Alphamom post just led me to an epiphany about my N's approaching high school transition. Now to figure out what to do about it. Too long to explain, but…THANK YOU. Was that vague enough?) (Also part 2: My N turns 14 in a couple of weeks. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Preschoolers, exactly! Except not.)
Happy birthday Monkey!
I’m so glad to see you’re posting again, I worry when you don’t. Life with kids is complex. Truly.
Also, it appears I’m moving to…someplace nearby-ish. Life is weird.
Happy Birthday Monkey!!
Does anyone else have flashbacks to remembering their high school challenges like it was yesterday and then marveling that 1) I somehow broke the space-time continuum because I am not old enough to have teenagers and 2) that for all the ups and down, that they step up in a world which seems harder in many ways then when we were growing up.
College is in our near future. COLLEGE. OMG (with a nod to my teens) – Forget them – I AM NOT READY
There is absolutely NO WAY that Monkey has turned 15. It’s not possible. But then I sit back and think that I was reading Amalah before Noah was born, I was reading Moosh when Addie was 5, and I “watched” the births of both of Zoot’s younger kids on her blog…. Add in Marlo over at Dooce’s and Annie and James in Spohr-land and oh my gosh I have spent much of my life reading blogs of people I’ve never met LOL
That being said, happy, happy birthday, Monkey. Many more.