Dear Tad, Today is your 17th birthday, and really, this cannot be happening.  How on earth can YOU be 17??? I have said this before, but you somehow have the healthiest and happiest social life of all of us.  As I write this, you have just spent the most amazing day out.  You began your […]

My sweet silly Thumper, Today is your ninth birthday, and I don’t feel ready to think of you as a nine year old.  Because nine seems OLD.  Nine is the same age that Ane was when you were born.  And I don’t think you would do very well if a baby sibling moved in right […]

Dear Rerun, You have made it to your twelfth birthday alive.  I consider this a major accomplishment on all our parts, considering the last two years that we have gone through. When you think about it, these last two years can be measured by your birthdays.  Two years ago, your birthday dinner was one of […]

Dear Ane, In past years, your birthday has been marked with snow.  Sometimes that meant that the celebrations were postponed.  It was harder for you to understand when you were small, because it was YOUR special day and you wanted to celebrate.  With age comes flexibility, and so you can look outside just as easily […]