Happy birthday, my dear Tobin!

This has been a month of laughter.  We spent a lot of time in the car listening to audiobooks, and so many times your dad and I exchanged a smile as we listened to you laugh at a funny moment from the book.  As I edited your eighth birthday video, what I noticed most was your laughter–it’s a sound of pure happiness, and it’s what I think of when I think of you.

Over the last four weeks, you’ve taken our biggest family road trip to date, climbed a mountain, ridden a horse, done an escape room, spent ten whole days at Mubby and Skitter’s house, gone to the State Fair to celebrate an award Papa received and other fun fair stuff, turned eight, partied with friends, and started second grade.  Yowza.

At the end of July, we headed westward.  One of your favorite parts of the trip was our evening in Fort Collins, Colorado, where we stayed in a hotel you really enjoyed.  As per the demands of our family, we had a suite, and you really enjoyed kicking back on the couch and watching TV.  It was one of your first experiences in memory watching TV the old-fashioned way (ie, turn it on, surf the channels, and see what’s to see).  It never occurred to me that someone would prefer that to our cable-cutter lifestyle, in which we can watch whatever we want, whenever we want.  But, true to your free-spirited nature, you really liked the spontaneity of you-get-what-you-get programming.  Fort Collins itself was also fun, with a great downtown and lots of family-friendly things to do.

Photo by Denny

Of course, our main purpose in Colorado was to spend time at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park.  You enjoyed many of the activities we had the opportunity to try, and of course you’re always happy to scramble around outside.  We shared a cabin with my friend and her family, and you formed a special friendship with her toddler son.  Sometimes you and Callum clash, and I think you relished the big brother role with a kid with whom you don’t have to share resources.  It was sweet to see you being so kind and helpful to him.  You were an especially good friend when we took a hike up a mountain.  You held his hand and read every signpost along the way out loud for him.

Honestly, the whole trip went even better than I hoped.  I was worried about you three kids during the long drive, but it helped a lot that we borrowed Skitter’s van.  Since each of you had your own space, your bickering was minimal.  You took the back-most seat, and you said it was your own little apartment.  As I mentioned earlier, we listened to audiobooks (including Spy Ski School, which has gotten you interested in the Spy School series).  We also ate a lot of junky snacks and took breaks when we needed them.  Only one person had to pee on the side of the road, and it wasn’t you.

Back in Iowa, we stopped by Ames to drop off the van, you, and Miles.  You had your first of four birthday celebrations there, with ice cream cake and a water park trip with Suzy and Joe.  Then your dad, Callum and I headed back to Iowa City, leaving you and Miles with Mubby and Skitter.

We had originally planned to only leave you for a week, but then we found out that Papa was going to receive an award for being an environmentally-friendly farmer mid-week at the Iowa State Fair.  Rather than cart the whole gang back and forth between central and eastern Iowa an extra time, we got the go-ahead from Mubby and Skitter to extend your visit.  If they got tired of having you around, they didn’t admit it.  Every day I got great pictures and updates of the things you did.  Mubby and Skitter kept you busy.  They took you to movies,  your favorite restaurants, the library, the arcade, fishing, and more.  You also helped Skitter trap some raccoons that were a threat to his beautiful garden.  I might need you to teach me to do that too, because those turds have been a rampant force of destruction at our house this year.  Maybe all the ones you and Skitter caught and released at the park across town from their house in Ames made their way to our neighborhood.

Photo by Gary Clarke

The State Fair trip was a bit rushed but fun.  It was extremely crowded, because Papa’s ceremony happened to be on a particularly beautiful day.  We didn’t make it to many exhibits, though you did enjoy the photography salon.  You really did like the fair snacks, though.  Your favorite was the cookie dough milkshake you got from the Dairy Producers’ stand.  That experience, combined with some techniques you learned from a friend at your second birthday celebration, has inspired you to make milkshakes for your friends later today when you return from your fourth birthday celebration this afternoon.  You had two different small parties with friends due to scheduling conflicts, but extra trips to the trampoline park are no cause for complaint around here (which is good, as we’re still trying to get our money’s worth out of those three-month passes I accidentally bought).

Of course we had a small family party, at which you received your most-desired gift, a skateboard.  I was really impressed by how quickly your skills improved.  On just your second day of riding, you were gliding confidently along the path behind our house.  You’re good about using your helmet and pads, so as potentially dangerous sports go, I guess this one is okay.

Second grade has begun, and I was happy to see your smiling face at the end of the first day.  Even though none of your closest friends is in your class this year, I never worry about your social life.  You make friends wherever you go, and your bright eyes and smile charm everyone.  Your curls are getting wilder every day, and you say you want to grow your hair long like Miles did.  Given your specific hair texture, I could see that getting more wide and tall than long, but that’s a pretty good look too.  If there was ever a head of hair that matched its owner’s personality, its yours.

I hope your eighth year is as joyful and special as you are, my sweet boy.  Your laughter is one of the high points of my life, and I’m so grateful that you share it with me.

Love,

Mommy