I hope that when Little Chirp grows up that he is still as thoughtful and creative as he is now. This week we are celebrating my 40th birthday. It is a tradition in our house that you get a whole week of celebration, so it is the “week of Mommy”. Thanks to work and some issues unrelated to either of my boys, this week has been rough so far.
Last night, Little Chirp turned my bad week around for me. I think the kid could have stopped the Titanic from sinking with his positive attitude alone. Okay, I realize that is not possible, but the happiness and positive energy that Little Chirp projects is certainly contagious, and this sort of positive energy can have a huge impact on the world around him.
The story starts on Valentine’s Day. I had small presents for my both my boys, and then I took them for a fabulous meal at my new favorite restaurant – Ambriza. The boys dined on lobster, beef and chicken fajitas, shrimp brochettes and then chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. To save a little money, I just had a chicken taquito off of the kids menu, and I watched my beloved Birds dine.
As Little Chirp bit into his lobster, I asked, “Where is my Valentine’s Day present? I can’t wait to know what I got.”
Of course, I knew that they did not get me anything, I just wanted them to learn to consider others. They were super excited about our plans and their gifts, but neither thought of doing anything for me or each other. There is nothing in the world that I want for other than time with family and friends. I just think that down the line in their lives, they are going to have a girl who hopes she is remembered on Valentine’s Day. Learning to think of others is important.
The boys exchanged guilty glances with one another, and Brainy Bird held his head down as if trying to escape. Litttle Chirp looked to Brainy Bird for help, and he realized that big brother wasn’t going to bail them out. Little Chirp’s eyes suddenly grew wide with excitement. He spoke very slowly with us hanging on his every word.
“Well Mommy, we finally did it!!!!! Weeee finalllllyyyy got you that pony that you have always wanted. It was a bit of an ordeal getting him into the backyard and all, but we did it. Your pony’s name is Gandoff the Grey. He is quite the pony.”
Little Chirp then carried on adding details to a somewhat elaborate story about my amazing new pony. Then he paused and leaned towards me, he spoke slowly and quietly again, “Mommy, there is something that I need to tell you about your pony.”
I leaned in, unsure of what to expect, and I said, “What did my pony like die during shipping or something?”
Funny, I was buying into the idea that I my boys had indeed gotten me a pony for Valentine’s Day.
“No, not that Mommy….Mommy, your pony…..your pony is such a great pony but…..well, I should tell you….you see…your pony is invisible. Gandoff the Gray is an invisible pony!” Little Chirp exclaimed.
We all cracked up. For the next week or so, I had an invisible pony. Little Chirp explained a bad smell in the house away with the idea that the pony pooped on the floor. The pony stole all the cookies in the pantry, and he gave Little Chirp pony rides. Little Chirp’s energy and imagination made an invisible pony into the best gift ever.
Then last night, Little Chirp and Brainy Bird and I celebrated my birthday together. Little Chirp had been excited about the plan to celebrate since Sunday. On Sunday, he told me that there was something he REALLY wanted to get me for my birthday. He was so excited.
I let him go onto Amazon to order his greatly anticipated gift. The perfect birthday gift – A pink little stuffed pony. Little Chirp presented it to me, and he explained that Gandoff the Gray transformed into a real pony! In the process Gandoff became pink, so he is now Gandoff the Pink. On some odd level, I miss my imaginary pony, but the thoughtfulness and excitement that surrounded Gandoff the Pink made me the happiest mom in the world.