Happy Birthday, James!

 Happy birthday, dear James.  You have matured so much in the last year, and we are so grateful that you are still very much yourself, our little spitfire who is either fully enthusiastic or deeply against most topics (rarely a middle ground). You are a joy who often speaks his mind to fight for what you think is fair and sensible.  We love your fun logic and silly questions about the world.  

This birthday month was made a little more complex when you tested positive for COVID the morning of your family birthday party.  We were planning to celebrate you and Alma at the bowling alley with your Thompson cousins, grandparents, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Bridgette.  Since you had a slightly scratchy throat that morning and we were seeing your grandparents, we tested you before we got ready for the party.  We were so surprised (and disappointed) when the test indicated that you were positive.  

For the next five days, you stayed in your room -- gaming, coloring, and daydreaming your way through the week. Happily, I could work from home, and we enjoyed my lunch hour passing the soccer ball in the yard.  We ate meals with you via video calls (see below -- look closely and you'll see your sweet face). We were impressed with your vigilance, which allowed Dad, Alma, and me to avoid your infection. The saddest part was the fact that you missed your last WCDS winter concert.  We were all looking forward to that evening and were all disappointed that you could not attend and perform.  You still have the Spring play and the end-of-year performance, but missing the winter concert stings.

Once your isolation time ended, you continued to mask to keep us all safe.  We could notice how anxious you were for company, especially from the kittens, who were also desperate for your unabashed love.  The first thing we did when you were allowed out into public again was go to Target to purchase Christmas gifts for the cats, which you happily wrapped. Your time with COVID exemplified all of your great qualities: ensuring you keep others safe, your love of physical affection, your ability to entertain yourself with video games and reading (usually about video games), and your mature acknowledgment of your disappointment at missing the birthday party and concert.  

You had a great birthday, masking the entire time (except for meals and the occasional photo).  You were so happy to receive a variety of Dungeons and Dragons related gifts, including several books, cool dice, clothes, and the Essentials Kit you have been mentioning daily.  You happily jumped into helping our entire family create new characters, which takes a lot of reference work to get all the facts straight. 

Before you got sick, your school hosted an open house.  It was great to see your creative approach to your work and hear about all the progress you have made in all the subject areas.  While you have some apprehension about going to public school next year, I know that you will step up the challenges -- both academically and socially.  You are such a fun, kind, smart, and funny kid.  I have faith that this upcoming year, which includes this big transition will go well.  We love you and look forward to supporting you.