We started out his birthday with his breakfast of choice, overnight baked pumpkin (it's time to use it all up again) french toast. And because homeschooling means you never have to have school on your birthday, we spent the morning at the botanical garden.
It was pretty cold, below forty, so we had the place to ourselves and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Also riding oddly-spotted deer statues.
After a dinner of Chinese food (takeout because I don't cook dinner and a birthday cake), we moved to cake and presents.
Because he had lemon meringue pie for his birthday last year, he had lemon meringue pie for his birthday this year. "Mmmmm, I love that sour taste!"
All of his presents arrived in time, his favorite being the dinosaur hand puppet sent by his grandmother. "Great! I was hoping to get something that would scare William!"
For his birthday Saturday, Edwin decided to go to the park. We had heard rumors of a park that had been remodeled - there's a new mayor in Dushanbe and he's initiated a lot of refurbishment around town - and had a playground.
Our whole time here in Dushanbe there have only been two American-style playgrounds in the entire city (probably country, really). One is at the embassy and the other has a thirty-minute time limit and a locked gate. There are lots of little Soviet-style 'playgrounds' stuck in empty trash-strewn lots that are made of rusting pipes that are just begging to give tetanus to every child that climbs on them. But nothing with trees or grass or slides that don't dump you right on the gravel or asphalt.
After the park we came home, made pizza, and watched Elf.
It's crazy to have three children who are eight or older. I remember when Kathleen turned eight and how old she was. Now, almost without noticing, I have two more children who have reached that shocking milestone. I have to remember when I am handing out assignments and responsibilities that Edwin is actually very capable. I've gotten used to having two older children to carry so much of the load that I forget how much Edwin can do. He's very helpful and responsible and I'm looking forward to see him grow even more into himself. It's enjoyable to have a son who isn't little anymore; it's something different than the girls. He talks about things other than dolls, his jokes are pretty funny, and he always makes sure to open doors for me and carry all of the heavy stuff. I quite enjoy his company and am very glad he's part of our family.
Happy Birthday, Edwin!