Ross turns 34!!

Ross’ Birthday week was here and time for his list of 10 gifts.  Yes, just like his Christmas list. 

Ross and I went to our local Wal-Mart and surprisingly he picked out his gifts in a short amount of time.  Items in all categories; action figures, DVD’s, CD’s and activity books. 

When I got home, I noticed that he already had The Lego Movie that was on his list.  I assumed that he meant to list The Second Part, that just hit the shelves.  I mentioned it to him and needless to say, it didn’t go well.  He took the list from me, and with no hesitation, he instructed me to “Go, that way!”  Motioning me out of his room.  For the next several days, I was reminded that I was not his favorite person.

In the meantime, I had exchanged the DVD for the new one and assumed all would be forgiven when he opened his gifts on Sunday.  As Greg and I were relaxing Friday evening, Ross came in, grabbed my hand, insisting that I come to the dining room table.  We were a bit surprised because this doesn’t happen very often.  He drug me to his IPad, opened to the Amazon website, displaying DuckTales Treasure of the Lost Lamp DVD.  “Buy it.” Pushing my hand to the keys.  He then showed me his list that he had rewritten to exclude the Lego movie and include the Ducktails. 

A couple of things went through my mind.  One, I was glad he did not have our Amazon password and two, thank goodness we have Prime, and our area has Sunday deliveries.  I obliged and ordered the DVD on my computer and all was well with the world. 

Before bed on Saturday evening, Ross reminded us, “Holiday tomorrow.  Ross’ Birthday tomorrow.”  I had the requested items, including his menu choices.  Feeling fairly confident that he would have the birthday celebration he wanted the following day.

Sunday morning arrived and after a somewhat calm few hours, Ross began to let us know that it was time to start the party.  There was no question of celebrating later in the day.  The time was now.  “Open Presents.  Blow a candle.” Over and over, becoming louder and louder.

Ross doesn’t eat cake, and we generally have a small one for the ceremonial song, but I forgot the cake.  Greg jumped in to help with the unhappy birthday boy.  The chaotic few minutes ensued.  I was frantically looking for candles, but I had no idea where they were.  No doubt, somewhere in the boxes we had yet to put away.  Greg was searching for something to put the candle in, as the cookies Ross had chosen had not yet made it to the oven. 

While Greg and I were searching for our respective items, apparently Ross was tired of waiting.  He went to our closet, took the bag of presents that I had hidden, (obviously not well) and laid them out on the living room floor and waited calmly for us to get our acts together.

Greg and I met in the kitchen.  He found a hamburger bun for the candle and I had a Neroli-Lemongrass ‘Feel Good’ aromatherapy candle.  We gave each other an ‘are you kidding me’ look.  We shrugged and agreed that he really just wanted something to blow out, hoping that this would work.  So the ‘feel good’ candle it was, without the bun!

Our quickly staged celebration was on, with our fingers tightly crossed.  Greg had placed the aromatherapy candle on a coaster safely for the birthday wish.  Beating us to the punch, Ross began to lead us in singing “Happy Birthday.”  He blew out the candle and began to open his 10 presents.  We were relieved that our last minute fix had worked.

Just as he finished opening all of his presents, I heard a noise at the front door.  It was the DuckTales movie, right on time!!  That would make present number 11.  We have learned that it is always fine to go over the allotted number, but never under. 

As soon as he had thrown away all of the paper, a task that he only wants to complete alone.  He was quickly on to the next item.  “Bake the cookies?”

“Yes, we’ll bake the cookies.”

With a smile on his face, he sat at the table and cued up his favorite crooners on Youtube.  I delighted in watching him sway and rock, repeating the same measures over and over, as I baked his birthday cookies.

Later that day, Greg gave him the choice of watching one of his new movies or going to the nearby winery for our evening activity.  The winery has become an almost weekly event since we moved.  The live music on Sunday evenings has given us the opportunity to meet people and get away from the unpacking.  Understandably, with Ross’ love for hors d’oeuvres and music, he picked the winery.  Greg and I shared a smile and thumbs up, while we watched Ross rock to the music, enjoy his cheese, veggie straws, cashews and Dr. Pepper.  Our new friends sang “Happy Birthday” to Ross, completing our night.

What once would have made me feel like a complete failure, only made me smile and laugh.  Not only was I confident that I was doing the best that I could, there was Ross going with the flow.  No major meltdowns, just clear direction of what he wanted.  A candle to blow out, presents, cookies and an evening of music and food.

As I sat calmly and sipped on nice glass of Zinfandel, I relished in all of the wins of the day.  Although they were strangely packaged, they were wins nonetheless and not to be forgotten any time soon.