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Friday, September 10, 2010

awww... they grow up so fast...

Po turned 11 yesterday.

This is the child who has left pink yogurt footprints on my carpet and blue icing handprints on my walls... more than once.  I suppose I am to blame for actually making blue icing more than once.

When he was 2 and 3 he already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.  A pirate.  and not just any old boring pirate.  He wanted to be "Bad Pirate"...  he wore pirate accessories almost daily for 18 months.  Sometimes not much else.

When he was 5 his kindergarten teacher told him that "Pirate" was not really a career choice.  (silly teachers)  He rolled with the punches though and when asked to make another choice he said "robber"...  Funny thing - she wanted him to choose something different.  He chose "Policeman" and that is what is written on his laminated placemat to this day.  The teacher did confide in me later that he had actually said "Policeman... then when I arrest the robbers I can keep the stuff they stole"  So apparently he really meant corrupt policeman...  I kinda wish THAT was written on the placemat :)

At 8 or 9 he was thinking that a photographer looked like a good career choice...  so we bought him a camera for his birthday.  Lots of fun - for about... ummm... 38 minutes?

About a year ago he started talking a little more reasonably about life goals...  and he wanted us to move to Hollywood so he could get a job in the movies.  Apparently he just knows he'd be discovered immediately - and if it takes a few weeks we could live off of my winnings from Wheel of Fortune right?  Drama is right up his alley.  (how many 11 year olds do you know who are aware of the definition of hypochondria?)

Given his "explosive" personality and penchant for the dramatic - I wasn't sure what to expect...

I DIDN'T expect such a gushing of thankfulness for his gifts.  I DIDN'T expect him to be so patient with the preparations of the day.  I most certainly DIDN'T expect him to be such a sharing, helpful young man on his special day.

Sometimes kids surprise me.  Isn't it nice?

14 comments:

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday to the corrupt policeman pirate robber photographer actor! Surely he will always keep you young!

Barbaloot said...

Happy Birthday to him! And boo to the teacher that said he couldn't be a pirate! Who says that's not a viable career choice?!

Kristina P. said...

It sounds like realism is is strong suit.

Kazzy said...

I am a kindergarten teacher, and some of the things kids say are totally terrific!

Gina said...

I would be so disappointed in a teacher not capturing that ridiculously perfect childhood comment on a place mat :(

He doesn't mean it, and he'll only think it for about 4 days, but you want to remember the silly things!

Megz said...

I've seen his awesome dance moves while watching a parade...so I'd steer him towards a career with the Rockettes.
Glad he surprised you with some Birthday maturity. Hope he keeps it up!

Saimi said...

Ah what a sweet post for a very sweet young man!!

What kind of teacher discourages a imagination anyway?

Krista said...

I loved he wanted to keep the stuff from the robbers! My son wanted to be a clown when he grew up. He's 20 now and has almost fulfilled his dreams! JK! He does have a mean sense of humor, though! Maybe you'll win WOF and Po won't have to be a dirty cop when he grows up!

Kate said...

How can time pass so quickly?

See Mom Smile said...

I love that kids surprise us! He sounds like someone who will keep you on your toes for years to come.

April said...

Why must some teachers squash the dreams of a child? RUDE!

Charlotte said...

You just gave me hope for my 5-year-old.

Annette Lyon said...

Happy kid surprises are the best kind. And he's pre-hormone, so we haven't hit the mood-swing surprises yet.

Teachinfourth said...

Happy belated birthing day to you…

What's wrong with being a pirate?