Twenty-One

My baby brother Sam is 21 today. I have been laying off the mention of family birthdays lately as I have a huge family and extended family, but twenty-one is a noteworthy birthday. I am so lucky to have two great brothers whom I completely adore. For many years it was just my brother Ben and I, then Sam came along when I was 12. I cannot even believe that it has been twenty-one years since that day. Sam I love you. Happy birthday.

Growing

Last night the girls and I met my mother for shopping and later Sam joined us for some dinner. My mom needed a new dress. I needed a little coat or something to go with my new dress for the opening on Friday. The girls wanted anything with pink or sparkles (their grandmother obliged them). I was also gathering elements for a gift for Sam. Let me tell you what I gathered:

• A wastebasket
•  kitchen towels
•  wash rags
• a spatula
• measuring cups
• cutting board and knife

Can you guess why I was buying Sam all of this? Yep, he just got the keys to his first rental! My baby brother is moving out on his own.

Over dinner he told us the details of the space and seemed to want us to know it wasn't fancy. Ha! I remember how small and funky some of the first places that Eric and I lived. Sam is much younger than I am and I think his point of comparison might be a bit skewed as his siblings are both home owners now. I reminded him of some of the dungeon garden apartments and insane neighbors we had over our years of renting. I think that the world of rental is what prepare us for the real world. Do you remember your first place? 

After dinner we drove to his new digs and walked through the empty house. My mother and I both gave him advice in the way that mothers and sisters will do. You know, don't lock yourself out of your room. Clean the dryer vent, get some new fire alarms, etc.  He took it all in stride, as though he's heard it all before.

The girls ran wild through the empty space as we all checked it out. My youngest brother is growing up.

Happy Birthday Brother!

Interrupting the regular Sunday quote for the 19th birthday of my youngest brother Sam!



Today is the anniversary of the birth of my youngest brother. I have the unusual perspective of having been old enough to really remember Sam's actual birthday with clarity. I was 12 when he was born. The events of that day are etched into my mind, the day that my family was completed.

A bit about Sam...

• Sam has some serious observational skills. He has this ability to see people as they are, it's kind of unnerving and amazing at the same time.
• He is an extremely talented musician and is largely self-taught.
• Sam is a loyal friend. He has friendships that have been in place for much of his life. I think that says a lot about a person.
• He regularly wears unmatched socks. I like that.
• He is 6'4"...that is really tall. My baby brother ended up being the tallest member of our family.
• He is extremely intelligent. He is one of those guys that pulls startling facts and has a wealth of knowledge. He also has an inquisitive mind, which I truly admire in a person.
• He has a great sense of humor and has this understated way of joining in a conversation with a super witty/ridiculous pun.
• He once created his own video game from scratch! Do you know how to do that? Yeah, me neither.
• He is a super-fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is finally going to see them in concert this September and I think his brain will melt a bit.
• He has amassed an extensive catalog of ridiculous nicknames...the most recent being "Blades"
• He is a great uncle. While he is rightfully intimidated by the mysteries of the newborn he really is an amazing uncle, taking time to just play and interact. This morning Cordelia said, "Happy birthday Uncle Sammy." Awwww

Happy birthday Sam! I love you so much!!!

Crab-walking Lessons, Little Hats, Real and Imaginary Food

We are enjoying family time this week. My whole family is together! Yesterday the crew came over to my house for lunch only Eric was absent as he had to work.

We ate lunch and then Cordelia took whomever was willing to join her up to her bedroom and put fancy hats on them and enjoyed a tea party (with imaginary tea and cookies).


Ben, teaching Cordelia to crab-walk


My dad, just wearing a little flowered hat


Sara, wearing the highest honor, the sparkle hat


Sam, who has been to many many tea parties, opted to feign sleep.


My mom was crocheting while the party was going down.

Later Eric and I finished up some Christmas shopping and then met my siblings and sister-in-law for dinner. My parents hung out with Cordelia and the dogs.

What are you up to? Spending time with friends and family?

Happy Birthday Sam

Sam is my youngest brother. He was born when I was 12. I remember the day he was born quite clearly. I remember eating in the hospital cafeteria, watching Monkey Shines ( a movie about a quadriplegic man and an evil monkey)in the waiting room---no adult supervision, I remember a blue bubblegum cigar, but most of all I remember Sam. He was so small and such a gift to our family.

Growing up he was so much younger than me that we had to get creative with how we connected, but we absolutely did it! Now that gap has narrowed significantly. Today he is 18. He is no longer a baby that I can carry around, instead he is like 11 feet tall. Can you believe that?! How did that happen?

Sam has turned into such an amazing guy. He is kind and thoughtful, witty and hilarious. He is intelligent and creative. I really feel there isn't anything he can't do if he sets his mind to it.

Sam, for your birthday I thought you might like to see what you look like if you were to get a neck tattoo of an octopus. Also, I love that you are wearing mom's sunglasses in this photo! Classic!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!

The Motherlode

So, you know how Eric and I are always on the lookout for local newscasters? If not read here and here for just a couple of examples. Anyway, my youngest brother has gone above and beyond. Seriously the guy hit the ultimate jackpot of newscaster gold.

Yes, that's right here he is in the photo below flanked by four newscasters. He was on their turf, newscaster stomping grounds. Can you believe this!?!?!?!?! I am just going to live vicariously through him. I know you are wondering how this good fortune came to my brother and how you too can get in on newscaster glory (or maybe that's just me). Well, he got to do some job shadowing through his school and he got a taste of newscaster glory.

How cool is that? Look at my brother, he looks like the lead anchor. I am so impressed. Anyway, he said that they have filthy mouths when they're off camera...just a little insider newscaster gossip for you.

Happy Birthday Sam!!

Sam, my youngest brother, turns 16 today! Holy smokes I can't believe he's 16. I am sure he'll be off to the DMV first thing this morning in order to get his driver's license. Since I used his photo in yesterday's post and he hates when I take his picture I decided to add Miss Bumblebee in her birthday celebration gear to this post.

I would like to take this time to list 16 reasons to celebrate my youngest brother.

1)He is really interested in learning. If he doesn't know something, he will research it.

2)He's self-aware. He has this sense of who he is, even when he doesn't know just where he's going in life. It's pretty amazing.

3)He is cool. You know, he's too cool for school (although he does in fact go to school).

4) He really cares about the feelings of others. After encounters with people he will often reflect upon the experience and question whether or not he said and did the right thing because he doesn't want to hurt people's feelings.

5) One of his cats rides on his shoulder like a parrot.

6) He plans for the future. As I mentioned yesterday, he has been saving up so he could buy his first car...and he did. I think my 'car savings' was a jar of change that I raided for coffee. Now he is saving up to buy a house.

7) He let's me call him Sug (pronounced Shoog) which once began as Sugar Booger when he was a baby. I don't know many people who would allow such a nickname to stick around.

8)He's really easy to talk to. Not like a normal teenager, he can have conversations that span everything from music to the world economy.

9) When he was little he named his fish Jason.

10) He's really good at making conversation. He asks questions and offers insight like a pro.

11)He made the choice to go vegetarian by himself, when he was in elementary school!

12)When he asks for advice from others he actually listens and takes it in, sometimes too well.

13)He has a bamboo plant that he's been taking care of for years.

14) He's learning to play drums which is pretty cool.

15)He's a giant. The youngest member of the family now towers over us all in height and we're a very tall family (well, maybe not my mom...sorry Mom).

16)He's really funny. He has a great dry sense of humor.

Happy birthday to Sam!!!!

Yesterday

The past few days we spent house sitting for my parents who were on a little journey to Montana. I was only a bit jealous. OK that is a fib, I was really envious, particularly when they called to tell me exactly how beautiful it was in Montana. Thankfully it is currently beautiful and green here in Wyoming and I didn't have time to dwell on missing Montana.

Sam had stayed behind because he is taking summer courses in order to graduate early. I think he is trying to outdo Ben and I and that's OK, he has already promised to support me when he becomes a millionaire. Anyway, when his classes let out yesterday afternoon he joined Miss Bumblebee and I for a walk in the park.

We walked for a while, talking about our most current obsessions. He is about to get his license and has been obsessively pondering car choices. He actually has saved up for the purchase of a car. When I was his age all of my money went to thrift store shopping and garage sale-ing.


We finally sat down in the grass on top of a hill and just talked as we looked out. It was really nice. We both obliged each other by listening as we discussed our personal obsessions. Mine is the baby in case that was unclear. Yes, it's true-in spite of my best efforts I can't help but think about this little girl nonstop. It certainly doesn't help that this little one seems to be in a state of constant motion, she doesn't let me forget about her for even a moment. I swear she is practicing cartwheels or maybe she is trying to learn this dance (I'm sorry, but that video NEVER gets old).

When we sat down Miss Bumblebee first ran circles around us, barking joyfully. Apparently bringing ourselves down to her level was a thrill worthy of celebration. Soon enough she settled into my lap and just watched enjoyed and the view. Dogs are good that way, they can just enjoy quite simply..although she too may have been pondering her own obsessions (eating cat food, staring intensely, whining, licking her foot).