HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRISPIAN
Crispian turned 7 yesterday!! I can hardly believe it myself. It doesn't quite feel like yesterday, but it doesn't seem that long ago that I was driving across the state on the turnpike because Kate was in labor in Pittsburgh and my mom called me when I was half-way there and told me it was a boy. Unlike me, Kate waited until her baby was born to know the gender. I remember feeling overwhelmed with confusion about what we would do with a little boy in our life (I have all sisters). It has been nothing but good times ever since.
Kate threw him a birthday party at Frick Park this weekend. Since it was at a park, she invited his friends and their entire families, so I think there were 50-60 people there, counting the grown-ups, maybe more. Of course, we had to time the party so we didn't miss the Steelers game (which was, in case you didn't know, OUTSTANDING). The kids played kickball and on the playground, and we laid out a host of art supplies so they could decorate their own pumpkins if they chose to.
Of course, the cake was a Steeler-themed cake from Giant Eagle. Nothing says Happy Birthday in Pittsburgh like a cake from Giant Eagle.
Later after the party at my house, Crispian opened his presents. One thing I have noticed about Crispian and the way his friends respond to him is that his friends always know exactly what Crispian likes. For instance, a few years ago, when Crispian was turing 3, his school at the time has something called Birthday Committee. Right before their birthday, a child selects 3 classmates to be their Birthday Committee. The panel meets to discuss what they think the birthday child likes, and then they interview the child. The results of that interview translate into the class present; for this class it was a specially decorated pillow for their rest time. Crispian's was apparently the shortest interview the teachers remembered. It consisted of 3 questions, all answered yes. Do you like LEGOS? Do you like Race Cars? Do you like the color yellow? Done. Then the committee sewed a yellow racecar-shape with LEGO wheels onto the pillow. Done. Anyway, this year, just about all of the presents were things each child knew exactly what Crispian would like. A computer game he played at one of their houses, a major YuGiOh deck with a particular card he has been seeking for 2 years, more of his favorite book series (Captain Underpants)--I mean, gift after gift Crispian was clearly amazed and delighted with how well everyone knew exactly what he wanted. I have a feeling that he hides little in that respect, though. Oh yeah, and when he got to my gift, I had wrapped a Bionicle in a Ben Roethlisberger jersey inside the wrapping. Crispian didn't even notice the jersey and removed it like it was also wrapping paper to get to the Bionicle. When Kate pointed out he missed something, he picked it up and pretended to faint. It was pretty funny.
In addition to all this birthday excitement, last night, Crispian's actual birthday, he and Kate went to the Pirates game with hisdad and one of Kate's and Glenn's mutual friends. Even thought the Pirates are 'WAY out of contention for anything, they had a remarkable game last night. In case you didn't hear, Roger Clemens gave up SIX RUNS (?)! Against the PIRATES!!!
So not only did they get to witness that, they caught a foul ball, and something so bizarre happened to Crispian, that I don't even do it justice in describing it, but basically, some--perhaps bored, perhaps intoxicated-- fans above where Crispian was sitting started to drift $1 bills at him, for no apparent reason at all. Hey, kid, was what they heard, and a folded airplane made its way down with a $1 bill inside it. Then one came flying as a ball. After a few, Kate yelled thank you up to them and let them know it was Crispian's birthday, so he REALLY appreciated the (very weird) gesture. Upon hearing it was his birthday, they apparently felt the need to up the odd generosity. At one point a plastic construction hat filled with cash was lowered down. I think Crispian walked away with like, $35. All quite strange, but great to happen on your birthday.
Kate threw him a birthday party at Frick Park this weekend. Since it was at a park, she invited his friends and their entire families, so I think there were 50-60 people there, counting the grown-ups, maybe more. Of course, we had to time the party so we didn't miss the Steelers game (which was, in case you didn't know, OUTSTANDING). The kids played kickball and on the playground, and we laid out a host of art supplies so they could decorate their own pumpkins if they chose to.
Of course, the cake was a Steeler-themed cake from Giant Eagle. Nothing says Happy Birthday in Pittsburgh like a cake from Giant Eagle.
Later after the party at my house, Crispian opened his presents. One thing I have noticed about Crispian and the way his friends respond to him is that his friends always know exactly what Crispian likes. For instance, a few years ago, when Crispian was turing 3, his school at the time has something called Birthday Committee. Right before their birthday, a child selects 3 classmates to be their Birthday Committee. The panel meets to discuss what they think the birthday child likes, and then they interview the child. The results of that interview translate into the class present; for this class it was a specially decorated pillow for their rest time. Crispian's was apparently the shortest interview the teachers remembered. It consisted of 3 questions, all answered yes. Do you like LEGOS? Do you like Race Cars? Do you like the color yellow? Done. Then the committee sewed a yellow racecar-shape with LEGO wheels onto the pillow. Done. Anyway, this year, just about all of the presents were things each child knew exactly what Crispian would like. A computer game he played at one of their houses, a major YuGiOh deck with a particular card he has been seeking for 2 years, more of his favorite book series (Captain Underpants)--I mean, gift after gift Crispian was clearly amazed and delighted with how well everyone knew exactly what he wanted. I have a feeling that he hides little in that respect, though. Oh yeah, and when he got to my gift, I had wrapped a Bionicle in a Ben Roethlisberger jersey inside the wrapping. Crispian didn't even notice the jersey and removed it like it was also wrapping paper to get to the Bionicle. When Kate pointed out he missed something, he picked it up and pretended to faint. It was pretty funny.
In addition to all this birthday excitement, last night, Crispian's actual birthday, he and Kate went to the Pirates game with hisdad and one of Kate's and Glenn's mutual friends. Even thought the Pirates are 'WAY out of contention for anything, they had a remarkable game last night. In case you didn't hear, Roger Clemens gave up SIX RUNS (?)! Against the PIRATES!!!
So not only did they get to witness that, they caught a foul ball, and something so bizarre happened to Crispian, that I don't even do it justice in describing it, but basically, some--perhaps bored, perhaps intoxicated-- fans above where Crispian was sitting started to drift $1 bills at him, for no apparent reason at all. Hey, kid, was what they heard, and a folded airplane made its way down with a $1 bill inside it. Then one came flying as a ball. After a few, Kate yelled thank you up to them and let them know it was Crispian's birthday, so he REALLY appreciated the (very weird) gesture. Upon hearing it was his birthday, they apparently felt the need to up the odd generosity. At one point a plastic construction hat filled with cash was lowered down. I think Crispian walked away with like, $35. All quite strange, but great to happen on your birthday.
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