Happy Birthday, Alex!

A few weeks ago, when we were at a toy store, Alex saw a little pink Hello Kitty alarm clock, a classic one with two little bells on top.  "That," he said. "Which one is closer, Momma? Christmas or my birthday? Because I want to put that on my list."

"Mmmm hmmm. Okay, Alex, I'll remember," I said, just as I do for any of the dozens of other things he's asked to put on his list.  But, unlike so many of the other things I've "remembered" for him, this one he actually remembered, too.  "My birthday is in three weeks, Momma! I can't wait to get my kitty cat clock!" "Wow! Only fifteen days until my birthday, Momma! My kitty cat clock is going to be so cute!" "Did you go to the store for my little kitty cat clock, Momma? I'm almost five!"

With a week to go until the big day, I'd realized that Alex's dearest wish was not going to change, and I supposed I was going to be springing for a pink Hello Kitty clock for my son.

I'd already told him that his first choice, a bakugan toy (a little plastic ball that, when it passes over a magnet, springs open and transforms into a wee creature: a lazy kid's transformer) just wasn't going to happen. I'd priced them here, and the cost was completely unjustifiable.  However, my dear college roommate and honorary Auntie for the children, Kimmie, came through for her little guy and reports that Alex's bakugan is winging its way to Zurich as I type.  He's going to be over the moon when it arrives.

But, back to Hello Kitty.  I went back to the toy store and found that Hello Kitty was no longer on the shelves.  When I broke the news to Alex, little tears dripped off his nose. He wasn't all together convinced that his birthday could possibly be happy.

But then I happened to find, in with the candy bars next to a check-out stand, a little $5 Hello Kitty digital watch. No, not just a watch. It had a secret compartment for storing candy as well.  Well, what little boy wouldn't want that? Into the cart.

Three days before Alex's birthday, Ella asked me, "Mom, how much does the alarm clock cost that Alex wanted? Because I've been saving my money, and I want to buy him that because he wants it most of all." I thought it was sweet, only slightly canceled out by her taking Alex aside and telling him, "Now, Alex, I'm going to be spending my own money on a present for you, and so I think you should do the same for me. And I think you should spend at least $3." There's a girl who knows how to get what she wants. 

Well, I told her about the watch, and she was so eager to give that to him, but she was a little over a dollar shy of the price, so she went into full money-making-scheme mode.  I love it when she's like that: yesterday I got an hour's worth of peace at the restaurant on Ütliberg as she babysat the boys to earn a franc. She works hard for her money, too, and has become a master storyteller.

She gave her gift with such pride, and Alex, of course, was demonstrably grateful. He wore his watch all day, announcing the time at intervals ("It is...one one five three. Isn't this a useful gift, Momma?") and, quietly, every now and again, breaking into the secret compartment for a sugar boost.

And it just got better...

Helping to mix up the morning waffles. We ran 

out of eggs, so Dennis gallantly ran all the 

way to the train station to

get some.  You got us again, Sunday!

Balloons!

Ella had the snuffles and Joey needed a nap
so Alex got to go ice skating with just
his Daddy.  

Joey got Alex a loop for his hot wheels cars: Ella liked it
at least as much as Alex, and spent ages tinkering with
it, arranging the tracks so the car would fly through the air
after the loop and then land on the next track. Atta girl.

He tried his darnedest to blow out that sparkler.

We finished the day with a little Family Game Night...

And a story read by big sister

I think my favorite part of the day was when, this morning, I told him "Happy Birthday, Alex," and he responded with "Happy Birthday, Momma!" I'll just go ahead and believe he's aware of my role in this day, as well. That was a good day, too.

Happy birthday, dear one.