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Jojo’s Birthday Letter

Dear Jojo,

You had your 4th birthday on October 25th, 2008. A more experienced mom told me that her grown children don’t remember their birthday parties she threw them when they were younger, so I want to help you remember when you are old and forgetful.

This picture is from the night before your birthday. You were adamant that you were ALREADY 4, even though I repeatedly tried to tell you otherwise. I gave you this fishing game wrapped in a play silk for you to open. I’m trying to be more eco-friendly. You didn’t notice the absence of wrapping paper. You are pretty good at “going with the flow.” We played the fishing game and then it was time for you to go to bed.

While you slept, I went to work creating a pirate ship cake for your special day. I made a chocolate frosted pirate ship surrounded by a sandy beach of cookie crumbs. I bought a ziplock bag of toy pirates for 25 cents at a yard sale when I was pregnant with you. Mama has always liked pirates, just like you.

I also cut up some fruit and put it on sticks so that it would be like “pirate food”. It wasn’t that big of a hit at the party but I thought it looked good!

While you slumbered on, I converted one of Papa’s old undershirts into a passable Pirate costume so that you could dress up like you wanted. It was supposed to be a “no-sew” project but I had to sew the neck so the costume wouldn’t slide right off of you.

Mama and Papa’s friends were nice enough to dress as pirates for your birthday party! You played a fishing game with Captain Doug.

Mirinda was a Saucy Wench if I ever saw one!

No-Beard the Pirate, Linda, made you walk the plank!

Walking the plank is fun, if it’s a party plank!

Aunt Kiki sent us a cool Mr. Potato Head pumpkin decorating kit with a PIRATE face! It made a good Pirate Melon centerpiece.

Deeds went around scavenging everyone’s leftover food and drinks during the party.

You were thrilled to get the robot costume you wanted! All of our friends chipped in the buy you this special gift!

That was how we celebrated YOU when you turned four!

I feel so blessed to have had you in my life these four years. In fact, I don’t really remember much of life without you.

You have really grown up before my eyes this year. You are talking like a big boy. You can write your name. You have a Batman bicycle that you can ride (with training wheels).

You love to play board games with me and Papa, and you love to play with your “heroes” (your special name for your collection of action figures).

This summer we moved to a new place, and for the first time I saw you in a situation where I could see that you weren’t totally confident in yourself as you struggled to make new friends in this strange new world. I wanted to protect you from these feelings, but I also knew that this was part of what would help you to grow into your own special person.

I am proud of how you have made friends at your school. It makes me smile when you come home telling me about what Jessika, La, Ongly, and your other classmates did that day in school.

My heart fills to bursting when I see you being tender to your little brother. When you share your snacks with him, or you make him laugh with your silly noises and silly faces!

You are a beautiful little boy, Jojo, inside and out. I am so lucky to be your mama.

While I some times want you to stay little forever, I am eager and full of hope to see the man that you will grow to become.

I hope I never give you reason to doubt my love for you, but just in case you need reminding, I don’t mind saying it often.

I love you, baby boy.

The best is yet to be,

Mama

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