Kaja's Turns 7

To my sweetheart buddy boy, Jack,

You turned 7 a few days ago! Holy smokes! I called home to wish you a happy birthday and you sounded SO OLD.I was looking for pictures of you to post here, and I found some ones that felt recent. But then I checked their date and whoops, no, they were from 2007. Time passes pretty quickly. You're not a baby anymore.

This past year you did your first duathlon. I mean, you're good at every single sport in the world so of course you'd be an ace duathlete, but when I saw the competition I was a little nervous. Little kids wearing spandex with expensive bikes and parents who train them. But you really hustled and finished second of your age group. You've got some drive, kiddo.Also you've started talking about your future days in the NHL. You play this game where you make everybody list one thing they want, and one place they want to go. And then once we all choose our things/places, you say, "okay, when I'm in the NHL I'll pay for that." Thanks, farty.

You like calling me farty, but you always say it with a British accent. Fawty. You break out accents often and without reason.Also you sweat a lot. More than most people, I think.

When we were in Seattle visiting Laura, you and I shared a bed. You talk a lot in your sleep, mostly saying hilarious things, and you have a lot of bad dreams. And you like cuddling. Sometimes I'd wake up with your torso on top of my face. I didn't mind at all, you sweaty mess.
Laura got married this summer and you took it hard. I have a picture of the morning after the wedding, as she and Jerry left for their honey moon. You are grief stricken. Tears running down your cheek... it's the saddest picture in the world by far. I sort of realized that not only do we love you, but you love us. Your little heart loves so much!You're also quite the trend setter. You started saying "ahem ahem?" when you wanted attention and it caught on. Example conversation:

Me: I made this cake
Jack: ahem ahem?
Me: Jack helped

It's catchy and effective. Nice one Spratt-man.

Oh, nicknames. Jack, Jack-o, Jacques. Then Jacques backwards is Kaj. Then Kaja and Kajey. Then Kajak and Kajakistan and Kajakistanley. Jack-Spratt, Jack-man, Spratt-man. Toothless.When I came home from Texas (after not seeing you for 4 months! The longest I've ever gone without seeing you!) you waited for me in the airport patiently (my luggage was lost so you were waiting a long time. You have a lot of patience for a then-6 year old!) with a sign and balloons. Then when I finally came out of the doors, you dropped the signed and sprinted over (with your fake sprint where you take long strides and jut your elbows out to the side).

I started giving you a million kisses and while I'm sure most little boys would squirm and run away you hugged me tight with one arm, with the other hand did a beckon, and said, "oh yeah, keep them coming."

I love your old man pajamas and how long it takes you to diligently button them up. I love that you respond when I call you buttface. I love how you like to wear necklaces or those ugly rubber bracelets. I like how you hold a pencil and how gentle you are with cats. I love when I check your math homework, and you get it right you go, "OH YEAHHH. OH YEAHHH. OH YEAHHH." in my face for five minutes. I love how squeamish you are when looking at other people's cuts (like how you almost barfed at my knee stitches). I love your freckles and I love your dimples.
You're my favourite boy in the world, and I will love you forever and forever and forever.

Love Lisa

ps. I don't like when you give me beef stew. So stop that.

(Beef stew is when he farts on my face)

(Jack turns 6) (Jack turns 5)