Birthday Boy

Hi Knitters,

My second son turned 17 years old last weekend. That suddenly sounds old. Why does 17 sound so much older than 16? It's not right. We had a fun family-filled day together to celebrate his birthday. It was a day of eating good food, lots of outdoor time and simply being together. That's my favorite.

I have to say that birthdays get harder as the kids get older. I can't explain it exactly. It's like you hear the clock ticking. As my children grow into young adults I just look at them with amazement. I somehow can't believe the young man standing next to me is actually my child. Parenting is hard, hard work but the pay off is like nothing else.

This birthday boy is full of endless surprises and interests and creative endeavors. He has a boundless energy that he dedicates to his interests so easily. I admire that. He is full of life. That is the best way to describe him. He never shies away from a challenge or from hard work. He pitches in without being asked. I love that. He is inspiring to be around.

In the morning I hugged and kissed my big, warm, rumpled teenager right when he woke up to wish him a happy birthday. Nowadays I have to reach way up to get my arms around his neck. Every year on the kids' birthdays I always tell them that the dates of their births signify the best four days of my life. I want them to know. I am simply glad they are here.

Edited right after I wrote this post to add:

I just got off the phone with this son calling from school. Here is how the conversation went:

Son: Hi, Ma. I volunteered to bring a snack tomorrow for homeroom. I thought I'd let you know early. (He considers noon the day before to be early:).

Me: Okay, I'll think of something. Have a good afternoon.

Son: Oh, and the snack has to start with the letter B. I gotta go. Bye.

Me: What? Wait the letter B? How many do you need?

Son: Not very many, maybe 30-40. Bye. I've got class.

That sums it up. And yes, he calls me Ma.

Now for some knitting, Peachy finished her first hat. It is knit in Blue Sky Worsted Cotton in about the best shade of pink on earth, Lotus #617. Truly. She is very proud. We sat and watched Elf (our favorite movie) together the other night and I helped her finish the top of her hat. She decided on the stem and leaf to top it off.

She's already started her second hat in a dusky shade of pale blue called Sky in the Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. It is a beautiful color.
Miss Molly (my oldest son's girlfriend) has more knitting progress to report as well. She finished her first scarf in no time at all. Super bulky Spud & Chloë Outer in Soapstone, 3 skeins, US size 17 needles, 14 stitches cast on, worked in garter stitch are the perfect ingredients for a cozy winter scarf. This is the best beginner scarf ever. How cute is she? I can't get over it.
Miss Molly has also finished up her third baby hat. This one is the Multi-Cotton from Blue Sky in Gherkin (love that). It has the most gorgeous shades of green. We added a sweet stem and leaf on this one, too.

Miss Molly already has another adult-sized hat on the needles in Spud & Chloë Sweater in Turtle. She has now learned how to purl so she can do a ribbed edging. On fire.

I love to see the young ones eating up the knitting. What is it about knitting that captures the curiosity in people? I want to bottle that up somehow.

best, susie