The Boy is 8

I am behind in posting, because life. The Boy turned eight last month. We have noticed more maturity and responsibility in the last year, though he's not ever going to be a kid who allows responsibility to hamper his imagination. If I had to guess what he'd be as an adult based on his current skill set and interests, I'd say a musician. Maybe a free spirit who is more into the creative process and having fun than punching a time clock or working for the man.


He exists on a diet of primarily bread and cheez-its, and he does not mind telling you no way he will not try something new. He is confident and steadfast in his belief that "weird" foods like cheese or eggs are gross, and he needs not even try them. Somehow, he survives.

He got a keyboard for Christmas and his Bebe has been teaching him some songs. He also experiments with it on his own and can teach himself how to play some basic songs by ear. I am amazed by that ability, one he did not get from me. We have asked Bebe to give him formal lessons, she says no. She reminds us that after she gave The Husband just one lesson as a child and it went so awry she swore off ever teaching piano again.


He spent his birthday in the forest again with his favorite people. He has been hanging in the woods with Delia and Joel at his favorite camp since he was four years old, and there's nowhere he'd rather be. I think he is mostly disappointed to come home to us and sleep inside in a bed. This year he learned about and made a tool called an ATLATL (rhymes with rattle-rattle). I had to look up what it even is, and here's a short video about them from Live Free or Die.

Joel, pictured here with The Boy, was on season 3 of Live Free or Die, so he's a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes people ask "so you just leave your kids in the woods with strangers?" and I answer "he's way safer with them than with me." Plus I think there's something about communing with nature and living in an old school bus in the woods that makes them ooze patience and unconditional positive regard. Who wouldn't want their kids there? Joel even hand carved a little wooden cup for The Boy for his birthday. HAND CARVED A CUP for my kid! It is now his most prized possession.

I asked The Boy our annual birthday questions, and he answered "sausage" for every single answer. When I pressed him for real answers he provided those below, but "sausage" is par for the course of where we are in life right now. PS. he doesn't even like sausage.

How old are you? 

Eight

What’s your favorite thing to do? 

play the Nintendo

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

nothing

What’s your favorite food? 

sweet Hawaiian crescent rolls

What’s something you’re good at? 

playing the Nintendo

What makes you laugh? 

farts

What’s something scary?

Annabelle the doll

Who’s your best friend? 

Liam and Ryan

What do you like to do with your family? 

go to Bebe's house

Where do you like to go? 

to Bebe's

What do you like to learn about? 

math