Saturday, April 04, 2009

Golden boy

I never heard of the "golden birthday" tradition until mine (my ninth) had long since passed, and always felt just the littlest bit cheated.

So: Happy GOLDEN birthday, Opie. Can it be that he is four? On 4/04? As my younger child, it's much harder for me to let him grow up. He is still my littlest boy. I still carry him on my hip and sway him to sleep. He burrows into my bed nearly every night and I secretly love it.

Yet every week after his music class, his teacher notes that he "was a big helper with the smaller kids." Smaller kids? He IS a small kid! But this year, he gave up his Nuk. He dresses himself (capably, if not fashionably). He rides a bike. He recites whole pages of his favorite books. He makes up stories and songs and games. He sometimes--God help us--wears big-boy underpants. He can write his name!

Happy fourth, my beautiful boy. Your future is bright, and you make me smile like no one else can.

19 comments:

motherbumper said...

Woah, I never knew about this golden birthday either but Happy Golden Birthday Opie! Your Mom is right, your future is bright and golden.

And Mom, he will always be your baby but eat up all of those snuggles while you can still catch him.

nonlineargirl said...

Four CAN be golden - happy birthday kiddo (and happy four to you MM)

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

Happy Birthday to Your Golden Boy! :)

p.s. today is my big brother's birthday, too...it's a great day!

Vixen said...

Well Happy Birthday Golden Boy. I had never heard of the golden birthday until now. Interesting. My granddaughter turned four yesterday, isn't it a fantastic age?

Heather said...

Happy Birthday to your little guy!

My golden birthday was when I was 1 so I was ripped off too.

Melisa Wells said...

Sweet! Happy Golden B-day!

Lady M said...

Happy Birthday, Opie!

This is a big year indeed - no Nuks, no diapers and a bike. It's just about time for him to found a dance crew. :)

I've never heard of the golden birthday either - cool tradition.

Grace said...

Well, whatdaya know?! Our sons have the same birthday!

I've never heard of a "golden birthday" before either, but next year will be Avery's.

Four looks like so much fun, Opie!

Hope you had a very happy birthday!

Unknown said...

Wat a neat thing! Declan has a while to wait! 2013!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPIE!

Nancy said...

Happy birthday to Opie! Roxie would like Opie to know that 4 is a very good year. :-)

Magpie said...

I've never heard of this either. Mine's long gone, but the kid's will be in 2013.

Julie Marsh said...

He is so much fun. Such a neat little guy, and growing up so fast. Wow.

Happy birthday Opie - wish we could be there to celebrate with you!

the mama bird diaries said...

How sweet.

I never head of this "golden birthday" either.

JGH said...

Those four years sure flew by! Happy birthday, Opie!

Leslie said...

I love the golden birthdays! But it's true that lots of folks miss theirs. It's nice that Opie (or at least you) didn't miss his. That was just a birthday kind of week in your family!

Anonymous said...

Damn! I missed mine....by 23 years!! I guess I could still shoot for 62.... I'm June 20th so 06/20 = 62 right?

Happy belated Birthday Opie from a complete stranger who thinks you are adorable!!

Alex Elliot said...

I was just talking about golden birthdays the other weekend when I realized that my younger's golden birthday is his 21st birthday. Great. Happy birthday to your son!

Kimberly said...

He is so cute! Happy 4th!

Kelly said...

A nice tribute to a clearly lovely boy!