now he is 8

Last night, we had a sweet, low-key dinner. After the parade (Wait til you see the pictures!), Manny chose "Angels in the Outfield" to watch while the grownups cooked. During the movie, the call of his gifts was so strong, he got up to flip through his chemistry book and his water uzi. Our musical friends played the guitar and the melodica for "Happy Birthday." Everyone should be so lucky to have a 1972 Harmony Rocket guitar accompanied by a pea-green melodica played for their song. Our boy, hair wet from sweat and water play, no shirt, standing on the back deck turning 8 right in front of our eyes.

Then this morning, I awoke to him calling to me from upstairs, "Mom, hey mom, Calliope feels a bit warm to me. She might have a fever." I love this kid.