Happy birthday, James!

Happy birthday to the newest teenager, James, who is a delightfully kind, dedicated, clever, and handsome son.  We are blessed to have him in our family.  

We are excited to celebrate him on Christmas and then again in January at iFly, an indoor skydiving experience he requested instead of a traditional birthday party.

James still loves video games and our cats but has also found an appreciation for travel. While James can be known as a bit reserved in some settings, while traveling he is willing to experience the environment (fully engaging in museums), navigate public transportation systems (helping us visit most stations in London this past summer), and get excited about the history of areas (being the most engaged in locating seemingly obscure historical gravesites in Boston over Thanksgiving break). He loves learning and will research the heck out of anything that catches his fancy. My neighborhood walk with him yesterday included a solid 30-minute deep dive into the nuances of tank speed and turret design in warfare.

Soccer is another joy for James. After two seasons with the rec league in our town, which was completely disorganized (more like pick-up games), he switched to another local league. James landed with a stern but friendly father-coach who also preferred playing defense and quickly became his favorite. The team won the season, and the coach nominated James for the All-Star game, noting that James was the only player he had never subbed out all season.  This winter, we signed James up for a winter indoor league with his best friend, Sawyer, which should be fun. 

While he is doing well in middle school, easily getting all As in his classes, middle school culture still isn’t fun. He has his band of friends but doesn’t appreciate the rough-and-tumble mean spirit of so many of the kids. I keep thinking, “Better to not peak in middle school,” but it’s tough to watch James move through these years after such a safe and positive elementary experience. 

I’m grateful that James (and all of us, too) continues to have animals in his life to create balance and comfort. Dylan the cat is still fully obsessed with James, running to jump on his lap when he hears a blanket unfold and then purring loudly when he gets in position. 

James’s favorite person, who sees him as a favorite, too, is still Alma. While they have more distance than when they were in the same classroom at WCDS (for three years!) or the middle school last year, they remain close. They make each other laugh, enjoy watching shows together, and support each other when petitioning their parents for extra perks. I’m grateful they have a solid relationship and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

James, we love you so very much and are so proud of the person you are. Like your big sister, we were happy to catch you as the stork flew by our house that exciting Christmas day. As the only baby born at the Bethlehem hospital that day, this special day -- and all our days since -- have become much brighter with you in our lives. 

Happy birthday, Alma! Happy birthday, Mom!

 

How lucky are we to have such a delightfully engaged, hard-working, kind, smart, and beautiful daughter?  Alma is a delight and we had so much fun during a full weekend of celebrating her and including others in the celebrations.  A tea party with friends, a family dinner, and a day at Longwood with family -- doesn't get better than that!

At Longwood Gardens, we also had the chance to celebrate my Mom (a.k.a. Nana to her favorite people), who shares this birthday week. My mom is always the biggest cheerleader for all of us -- always at the ready with a listening ear, open heart, and support. I love our weekly calls when we can catch up and laugh, usually as I drive home from the office. Those calls are always bright spots in my week. I love talking to my mom. My parents, who are very open to the world, often have funny stories, like when my Mom's birthday lunch was interrupted by a wedding RIGHT beside the table where they were eating.  

We were delighted to have a full group of 17, with the Thompsons and Lachmans joining the fun. The weather was perfect for meandering around the beautiful grounds and the indoor displays, which made for a lovely way to kick off this holiday season and celebrate these two lovely ladies.

Alma, your father and I are so proud of the kind, thoughtful young lady you have become. It is a joy to have you as part of our family -- your humor makes our days brighter, your ability to manage schoolwork without any fuss (including honors classes, orchestra, and all the drama I'm sure happens in high school) makes parenting a teenager seem easy, and the love that you demonstrate to each member of our family makes us a more powerful unit.  You embody "Team Chisholm" energy -- stepping up to be your best for the group.  

We hope you feel our love, which is certainly more powerful than I could have envisioned 15 years ago when we welcomed you into our arms and hearts. You mean the world to us and we are so delighted to be your parents. 

Good thing we were outside that cold December morning to catch you as the stork flew by our house!