Slightly later than hoped, but better late than never as they say…
A little birthday tribute to my (all of a sudden – how did that happen?) 11 year old. Obviously I can’t really refer to him as Small Boy for much longer, but whilst I can still get away with it)…
I could regale you with many a tale of how he’s made me laugh over the years, from his earliest days as a chubby baby, to his first few days of international nursery in Copenhagen – where tiny but determined he gained a strange “King of the Cats” title on Fastelavn one year (wearing his crown for days afterwards)!
His impressive and somewhat imaginatively drawn family portraits that were given pride of place on Danish Nursery walls are also something I can laugh about (now!). Later memories that still make me laugh include his family of imaginary friends, observations on Italian Hotel bathrooms, swimming with “Ewoks” whilst visiting Thermal Lakes, his being slightly terrified on top of a windy volcano incident (as the arms of his plastic rain mac blew off in to the distance), closely followed by his accidental setting off of deafening alarms at famous Japanese palace adventures. Then there’s the packing his own hand luggage which resulted in a beyblade being mistaken for a gun incident, closely followed by the things we probably laugh at as a family the most – getting his finger stuck up a lion’s nose (a statue obviously) or the time he got his head stuck through the railings of Copenhagen’s Rundturn high about the city (although for a few moments, it really wasn’t funny. Well not that much). I made sure to take a picture of this building to send to him as a momento when I was in Copenhagen recently…
My brain could go on churning out such memories (and laughing about them), but one thing’s for sure. Although he’s grown in years and stature, the one thing that has remained unchanged is his sense of humour. This past year though his humour wasn’t perhaps as prevalent initially as he mourned the loss of one country, and has tried to adjust to the one we call “home” for now. But, as his humour has flickered through, showing itself more often of late, I know he’s OK and I can breathe again slightly more easily.
He celebrated his actual birthday at school (which he was utterly disgusted about!), packed off with the requisite homemade millionaires shortbread for his classmates (I think he was secretly disappointed that he didn’t get the emergency Krispy Kremes that I had to opt for last year when faced with a true baking disaster!) and with “Bonkers” Granny coming to stay as a surprise (I might refer to her as that from now on on the blog!), she arrived in time to pick him up from school, waiting in the car with the toddler whilst I ran in. Ever the small policeman (he is quite German after all!), he was utterly furious that I had left the toddler in the car on his own (this was all part of the plot by the way, there is no way on this planet I would ever really do such a thing!) whilst I collected him, and it was worth every last second of deception to see his cross little face melt into happy surprise as he realised the toddler wasn’t alone, but was with one of his favourite companions!
We went on to meet his Dad and Sister in town for a birthday meal (he approves of Chinese restaurants in the UK at least!), followed by a few board games back at home and of course, obligatory birthday cake… This year he had a small person insistent on helping him blow his candles out, and kindly and gently he let him sit on the chair with him to “help” him quite a few times (before the novelty wore off and the birthday boy just wanted to eat his cake!)…
A little note to him directly as is now a BavarianSojourn tradition…
As you may learn yourself one day, being a parent means there’s always something to feel guilty about (they don’t warn you about that part!), and I for one feel very guilty about how much you still miss your old life and your friends in Munich. Recently things have been made slightly easier as a few of these friends have now repatriated to their own countries (to Argentina and Seattle – now both very much on our visiting list!), and I think that’s probably really helped you in turn. Fitting in to an English school (albeit an international one) has thrown up a few challenges and opportunities (both good and bad) along the way, but although it was hard at first, I think you would say you have mostly enjoyed it. It has been secretly funny watching you get used to things you have never dealt with before, such as uniforms, “weird games with sticks” (hockey and cricket!) and enjoying all manner of “exotic” English food at lunchtime – (hula hoops, dairylea, and spaghetti hoops to name but a few!) ! You are still understandably fiercely loyal of your old home, and have fought hard to retain the German you have learned over the years, which will stand you in good stead one day I am sure whether in a job or travel capacity or should we return one day…
Whilst we ummed and ahhed as to what to get you for your special day, only one present truly made sense. You and your Dad will pop across to Bayern to visit your best friend and his family (and hopefully catch a bit of late season skiing) for a weekend very soon. I am sure you would say this is your favourite present of the lot. And best of all? I get to send you along with a big case to bring back everything Deutsche I have run out of.
We will move again in a few months, and I hope this gives you a chance to put some roots down and feel more settled in a part of the UK that you are more familiar with, and with friends and family much closer to hand (plus you finally get to decorate a room of your own which you are busy planning. A true novelty after all these years!!).
If we venture to a few more beautiful English places along the way, we might get you to feel a bit more at home yet.
Love you my sweet. Enjoy being eleven. x
Trish says
Oh I’m getting all emotional now. A belated happy birthday to your boy and hope he enjoys his birthday treat to Bayern. xx
Emma says
Thank you Trish. xx
Emma says
Oh that letter at the end of this post is just so lovely and I think your (still) little one will love going on a skiing adventure to see his friend for his birthday present. What a lovely surprise for him. Happy 11th birthday!
Emma says
Thanks so much Emma x
Mudpie Fridays says
Oh this is so lovely and brought a tear to my eye. It definitely sounds like you have had lots of adventures and made some wonderful (hilarious) family memories. Wishing you many more to come xx
Emma says
Thank you. Glad you liked it. It’s always hard writing these sort of personal posts, but as I started my blog exactly to record moments like these it feels weird not to… :D x
Leigh Travers says
Aww, what a beautiful post to dedicate to your boy! it sounds like the trip to Bayern will be a wonderful birthday gift too.
Emma says
Thanks Leigh! (: x
Elizabeth says
Happy birthday to your son!!
Emma says
Thanks Elizabeth! (: x
Nadine says
Your son has certainly had an eventful life so far! I laughed out loud at some of his ‘oops’ moments, especially the family portrait! I hope your son enjoys his trip to Bayern.
Emma says
He really has! :D Thanks Nadine!
Katy says
I hope he had a wonderful birthday! What a lovely tribute to him, I love all the little stories and memories you’ve captured here. He sounds like a real character already. I was always the same about having to spend my birthday in school – the injustice of it all!
Emma says
I am an August baby so always had my birthday at home, which I also didn’t like! :D He is a character, thank you! :)
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
Aw what a touching post! My oldest turns 11 next week actually and I have no idea where the time has gone. It really goes by too fast when they are little doesn’t it? It sounds like a lovely birthday at school, out for dinner and at home with the board games :)
Emma says
It just flies past. I cannot believe my toddler is 3 this year either! :D Thanks Becky x
Ali - We Made This Life says
Ah happy birthday little dude! My eldest just turned 11 too, it seems old doesn’t it!
Emma says
It really does! Thanks Ali, hope your eldest had a great birthday too! (:
natalie says
Happy birthday to your lovely boy, and what a lovely present you got him. It made me feel a little weepy reading this. I hope he has a great time.
Emma says
Thank you Natalie. It made me a little weepy laugh/crying whilst writing it! :D x
Claire Kirby - Life, Love and Dirty Dishes says
Beautiful post. I read i thinking 11 seems like a long way off for us. Then I realised it’s only three years, and we all know how quick that time will fly! Hope he enjoys his ski trip.
Emma says
It really does fly past. Thanks Claire! (:
Su (Ethan And Evelyn) says
Your guys have certainly had a fun adventure so far through exploring places together – happy 11th birthday young man. They grow up fast!
Emma says
We have so far! :D Thanks Su! (:
Tara says
Aww what a lovely post. I love how you’ve used your blog to remember many of the wonderful and funny moments you’ve shared. I hope he had a very happy birthday.
Emma says
Thank you Tara. My blog started as a record of our lives abroad, so I like to carry it on like that sometimes! (: x
OddHogg says
I love these sorts of posts, it’s always lovely to read about people – especially on their birthday. I hope he enjoys his trip, and brings you back everything you need ;)
Emma says
Thanks so much! (: x
pinkoddy says
Awww Happy 11th Birthday. Such wonderful memories – they grow so quickly don’t they. Going to school on your birthday sucks – and my son would also expect Krispy Kremes if he had them previously too.
Emma says
Thanks Joy. They really do! :) x
Sarah Stockley says
Happy 11th birthday! My eldest is almost 12 (in May) I really don’t know where the time goes!? Lovely photos of your adventures.
Emma says
Thanks so much! (: x
Emma says
Ahh, this is beautiful and I love all of your funny memories, the finger stuck up the lion’s nose did make me laugh. I hope that he had a lovely birthday and your present for him sounds just perfect. Hopefully it will be an amazing weekend for him and you will get lots of goodies so win, win! ;-)
Emma says
It made me laugh too as soon as I realised that we weren’t stuck there for hours! :D Thank you. x