More snow over night -- a lot of snow. I shovelled until I started getting blisters, but gave up with the driveway only three-quarters done. There's still this afternoon. There was a birthday party this morning at 11am, so it provided a nice opportunity for a break. I brought Alisa, the boys, and a classmate to the mall to see a movie and celebrate. While they were in the movie, I took a long walk through the mall, ending at Target where I found some potential Solstice gifts. After checking one more place, I went back and bought the stuff. It's fun to get things you know people will like. Some people are harder to choose for than others.
I ran into a parent from Charlie's class who was excited to hear about skating opportunities in town. Her daughter used to skate in California where the lessons were much more expensive. I extolled the virtues of our current coach and encouraged her to come to basic skills tonight to meet her and find out how to sign up. It would be great to have a classmate taking skating!
It was great fun watching the children celebrate the birthday party. The parties seem extravagant afffairs by my childhood standards: Take 10 friends (plus sibs) to a movie (with popcorn, candy, and soda) followed by cake and ice-cream and presents, with party bags for everyone to take home. It was fun seeming them cling together and shout with excitement as the wrappings were removed from each present. And to see the thoughtful birthday cards they had all created. These kids really hang together well. Several of us were wondering how long it's going to last. One parent, who has older children, suggested this year might be about the end of it. His older boys, subsequently, just wanted to take one or two friends to a restaurant or maybe have a sleepover.
Last night, while Charlie was working on his journal pages, he suggested that he thought he might read some of my "wiki pages". I laughed and said that I would be perfectly happy if he did so. He suspected I might be writing about him in my journal. And I do. I mainly think, however, that he's wondering if I'm writing about what gifts I've bought. He's a clever lad!