Bring on the birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART!!!

Jaysen's been super-excited about his birthday this year. He woke up this morning in a great mood, got dressed without too many prompts, ate breakfast, and was happy to see my Mom when she arrived. That's about where the festivities ended.

"Hi Moppi!!! Do you have something for me??!?"

"Yesss...I have something for yooouuu".

At this point, Moppi hands Jaysen a small glittery bag. Jaysen opens the bag and pulls out...
...an Arthur computer game and a box of crayons.

"Mmmmooppii!!!!! (Insert gutteral growl) I DON"T LIKE IT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT. NOW. MOPPI!!!"

And the bag (and its contents) go flying across the room.

I scowl at my mother. She should've known better. I know she felt bad that he didn't "like" her "present", and she tried to explain that she just brought that over this morning, and his real present was coming this evening when we had pizza and cake. Still-He is expecting a video tape. You know that. I'm not saying that you have to get him one, just be prepared that he is not going to be happy about pretty much anything else. (and c'mon...an 8 pack of crayons?)

She wants so badly in her heart, to pull him away from his VHS obsession, but mom...it is stronger than you.

She called around lunch to tell me that she was on her way to the store to get him a Fisher price digital camera (he'll dig that). I could tell in her voice that she was let down and sad. She had been beaten, because her real presents were the game Operation (he may dig it, I dunno), and some educational puzzle or something. I'm sorry, mom, but no matter how badly you think he "needs" to play with a puzzle of the United States, or a math workbook- it's ultimately up to Jaysen if he wants to play with those things. And chances are...he doesn't.

Back to the story-
So the rest of my morning was spent hurrying around trying to gather the necessary things for school, since Jaysen had pretty much shut down. He would yell "It's NOT my birthday! DON'T sing the song to me!" whenever I tried to talk to him.

We did eventually get out of the door, and to the donut shop for donuts for the class. We were running late. Trying to hurry through routine is not fun. We ran down the hill to see the last of Jaysen's classmates entering the school. "Wait for me!" he screamed as he ran to catch up. He was too late. We went in the front of the building despite his red-faced protest that he was going home, tears streaming down his face.

I asked him if he wanted me to take him to see Resa or Miss R (sp.ed or reg.ed). He said Resa. I led him to the Resourse Room. Of course, she wasn't in her office. Crap...okay, let's go see Miss R (gulp).

He protested the whole way to class. Reluctantly, he handed his folder to his teacher, and went into the room. I started to get into his morning, but his teacher stopped me with ..."He'll be fine". Okay! That's all I needed to hear! I said a quick "ThankyouverymuchI'mlateforworkthere'sdonutsfortheclassinhisbackpackcallmeifthere'saproblem" and bolted out the door.

I am at work now. I am safe from the birthday wrath.
When I get home from work, I will be armed with pizza. I will also have cake.
The best part is...when it comes time for presents? I am prepared with the 4-pack box set with Neighborhood Animals, World Animals, Baby Mozart, and Baby Van Gogh.

I am Mom.

I am ready.

C'mon birthday...bring it on.