It is not like I am against birthdays or birthday parties I love them. It is just when this one birthday party takes a child to a whole new level of parenting I have to stop and think. Brandon had his 8th birthday on the 15th,. We have been through many struggles with Brandon and this year, for the first time, Brandon really understood what his birthday meant. This meant for him that he would have birthday presents and he even asked for a birthday party. What is so special about that? He never even knew when his birthday was before or what it really meant. He was excited for it and he started counting down for it.
Unfortunately he was so excited he couldn't take it. He couldn't sleep about three weeks before his birthday and then he was very upset when I couldn't schedule his bowling birthday party until the 22nd. "That is not my birthday date" but he slowly adapted. Although he couldn't sleep well and was very restless until the big day I have to say for his birthday party he was a great little host. He bowled and was not controlling, shared the lane with friends. He thanked everyone for his gifts as he open them ( a bit of coaching prior by mom) but he remembered and was very happy with all his gifts. He even was helpful in handing out the goody bags I had made up. At first, he wanted all the bags, he didn't quit get that he would get presents and they got the bag. But he did and he was an true 8 year old.
This is when you have to stop and think of progress. Josh understood his birthday at 4 and that family got him gifts and sang to him and that you need birthday candles... or as he used to call them "dunnies".. had a bit of a speech problem. But even with a speech problem he could communicate what he wanted. It was nice to see Brandon trying to communicate what he wanted. He got a bit upset at times because he could not put into words or thoughts of what he needed but he is learning. He was like a four year old at times this past month and yet he was an 8 year old.
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