Dudeguy Turns 7

Yesterday we celebrated Mason’s birthday with Abby and Sam and their family, and Chaim and Oscar and their mom.  He was spoiled by everyone, including KJAMBD who sent a present up with Tan and John – even though they really shouldn’t have. 

I find though that there‘s something about Mason that makes me want to spoil him.  He is so well behaved and so obedient.  I just asked Heather if she could think of a time when he had done something that we had told him not to… and neither of us could come up with an example.  We have lots of examples for his siblings.

I sometimes wonder if I should encourage him to break the rules more so he can be a little wild and so he doesn’t get totally left behind by his peers.  The other night at an Olympic event-themed activity, he continued to follow the leader’s instructions to slide the “curling stone” even though it obviously wasn’t possible on the floor.  A little girl, who was lobbing her stone like the other kids, told him he was “lame”.

Mason is also very sweet and empathetic.  Recently I gave Tyson the choice of either a long stick of celery or one half the size.  I thought that if he chose himself he would eat it better.  I threatened to let Mason pick first, thinking that the possibility of getting the long piece would speed up his decision.  Tyson still would not choose so I turned it over to Mason, now Tyson would learn his lesson.  Nope, Heather and I rolled our eyes at each other as Mason chose the long piece so Tyson wouldn’t have to eat it (even though he dislikes celery just as much). 

I think some of the tenderness I feel for Mason may also be due to the fact that he has always been a little small for his size and has needed some extra attention because of his asthma.  There were a few times that we made middle of the night trips to the emergency room and listening to him cough and wheeze was horrible.  Being in the Children’s Hospital with him for two days while he was hooked up to an oxygen mask and monitors was an experience that hasn’t left me yet.

(Here he is doing the “Dude Salute” when he was little.  For some reason he would often raise one arm in the air and revel in its awesomeness.)

Mostly though, I love Mason because he is my best little buddy and I know that no matter how old either of us get, I’ll always be able to count on him.

 

- C

 

 

(For his birthday cake, Heather made chocolate cake in mugs and then topped them with ice cream and whip cream.  We are all pretty spoiled.)