GOLDEN!

The first birthday I distinctly remember was also my golden, on November 7, 1984. I was settled into Mrs. Callesen's first grade class at Estelline Elementary school, comfortable in my role as one of her "little flowers" and learning mantras like "Good, Better, Best; Never let it rest; Until the Good is Better; and the Better is the BEST!" Ronald Reagan had just won a second term as President the day before, and I was excited that my special day hadn't coincided with election day. I remember anxiously anticipating the present my parents had selected for this landmark occasion, and was somewhat disappointed when I was presented an unwrapped magenta umbrella. I mention all of this only because I'm now confident that Collin will probably also remember his golden birthday, not because it was more notable than any preceding it, but because he's of an age where many of his life's memorable moments will be committed to memory.

We kicked off Collin's golden birthday celebration with a cupcake lighting, birthday song singing, present opening extravaganza on Sunday, March 4 at Wisconsin Dells before checking out of our condo. Collin opened a dragon puzzle, penguin paint by number, and Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl from Auntie Ellie, a polo shirt and shorts, a memory book, a pack of gum, and a "fifty" from Grandma and Grandpa EIO, and a pack of sour balls from Auntie Ruth.



When we arrived home, we continued a joint Collin and Nolan birthday celebration with Ryan and Andrea, and Ed and Wendy, who stayed overnight at our house before catching an early flight to Ft. Myers, FL on Monday morning for vacation. After blowing out the singing birthday candle on the white marble cake Grandma Honey Honey brought for the occasion, Collin and Nolan commenced to opening their presents. Andrea and Ryan secured Prism Break, and PaPa Minnows and Honey Honey added Chop Chop and Cinder to the growing Skylanders collection, along with a fishing lure and a generous donation to Collin's education fund.


On Monday, as the build-up to his actual 7th birthday continued, Collin went over to his friend Jason Harm's house after chess club for a play date. On Wednesday, after school and music class at church with Mom and his brothers, we went out to dinner. Collin's chicken burrito was on the house because the guy at the tortilla warmer was so impressed that a 7-year old would request Chipolte as his restaurant of choice.

Chelle and Molly Deering walked over after we returned home with more presents and good wishes for the golden birthday boy. Collin also received a new Babolat tennis racket and backpack from Mom and Dad, as well as the Skylander, Slam Bam.


Molly, Aaron, Nolan, Chelle and the smiling birthday boy
We share many things, Collin, not only that we both celebrated our golden birthdays when we were 7...or that we have the exact hair...or that we can both get stuck in our stubbornness from time to time. We also share a generous spirit, a love of nature...and a desire to work our way through the bad days. Happy Golden Birthday, Col Buddy...may this upcoming year be filled with joy...and only our best days.