how old do you have to be to try a cupcake?

When I picked Jensen up tonight from school there was a handwritten note on his daily sheet. Tomorrow is one of his classmates' birthdays and the class is celebrating with cupcakes. Seriously? My little guy is 8 months old. Should he get to have a cupcake yet? I'm leaning towards no. But, I know I'll be the only mom who doesn't let their little one have one. I'm also the only mom who didn't let my baby have a blanket at daycare. Until recently, I gave in, and took an afghan. And, made the teachers promise that they would never let it be up by his face. I'm sure they think I'm crazy. I probably am a little crazy, but some things just make me a little nervous. Like cupcakes. I think I'll take peach puffs for him to have so that he's not the only one that doesn't get a treat.

Jensen has been going to sleep around 6:30. We eliminated his late afternoon nap, and now he is going to sleep earlier, and sleeping much better. The past two nights he has been a sleep by 6:30 and slept through the night. It's been nice. Funny how your body gets used to waking up so often in the middle of the night that when you start sleeping again, you kind of feel wiped out. It's weird, really. Matt and I are probably getting 8 hours of sleep for the first time in months, and we're so tired. Probably catching up, I guess.

Tonight after bath time, Jensen and I played in his room before bed. We're trying to teach him to wave bye-bye. He's done it once, much to his parent's marvel. But, we haven't been able to get him to do it again. Tonight, he raised his hand a bit like he was going to start. His new fascination was the cold air return in his room. He strummed the vent like he was playing a harp, or the strings of a guitar. He liked the sound it made. Last night, I let him play with a plastic spoon and a cooking pot. He liked the noise of it, too. We sing and dance with him so much that I think he'll probably like music. Tonight when I was singing a little, he bounced around like he was dancing. It was super cute.

Matt's XC season is almost through, which will be a welcome thing for Matt, for me, and for Jensen. I think he misses his dad. I know I miss having him here. It has been a rough season for Matt, and I admire how he keeps fighting the good fight despite the parents that have completely taken the joy of coaching away from him this year. Matt, we know it's been rough, but the fact that you continue to do the right thing, inspires me, and amazes me at times. You're teaching kids about more than just running--and any one that has watched you this year, or anyone who hears about the way you have handled yourself this year knows that your actions speak louder than your words, and that you are a noble man indeed. I praise God that Jensen has a dad like you to look up to, and learn from. He'll learn so much about being a man of integrity by watching you. He'll get the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of a giant. Or, in this case, sit on the shoulders of a giant. Thanks for being a good coach, and a wonderful husband, and an amazing dad. In case no one has told you lately, you do make a difference. Doing the right thing does matter. Winning isn't everything. And, your actions, which speak louder than words? We notice.