When we told our kids that we were being extended though to December, my 15 year old had a lot of disappointment. This year his 16th birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day. He was greatly looking forward to having the two days off, having the big feast and family get together at my Mom and Dad's house, starting driving school when we returned in October and getting his license (probably provisional).
My husband and I felt a little bad about it and we tossed around not sending the kids to school and celebrating. My husband even had talked about leaving work early <gasp>. Honestly, Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays. It is just an excuse to eat a lot of food and watch American football. I sometime think that the meaning of the holiday has been lost on most Americans. I do think that my children are a small exception, only because at the beginning of November we watch the two Charlie Brown specials that are associated with the holiday. The special in particular that I am talking about is called "This is America Charlie Brown, The Mayflower Voyages".
I finally relented and told the kids that they could stay home from school, totally expecting cheers of joy and exclamations of what great parents we were. The youngest three were happy to have the opportunity to stay home even when I told them they had to help me cook. The 15 year old? Well, he was not happy. I was confused and a little mad. It turns out that he had not really wanted to be home since we weren't in the US and he had triple DT(Design Technology) that afternoon that he felt he could not miss because he has a big project going on. So, we made a compromise, I would take him and the 9 year old into school at 2:15. The 9 year old had cookery club after school that he did not want to miss. I dropped them off as planned and then headed home to finish up cooking, wrap presents and make cake.
I have been in denial about having a son that is turning 16. I am not ready to be the parent of a child that age. I swear that it seems just like yesterday that I brought him home in his car seat. At least while I am here, I can pretend for a little while longer that he is still 'little' my kid, even if he is taller then me now! In the US, this is a big birthday year that includes some freedoms. He reminded me in the car before the presidential election that when the next presidential election rolls around he and his 14 year old younger brother will both be able to vote in the next election, oh my!
I have to admit that I am glad that we are still in the United Kingdom where I don't have to deal with all that reality yet. In the United Kingdom, they apply for their permit 3 months before they turn 17. So, being here is putting driving aspirations off for now.
Sean grabbed the two kids who went to school and came home with his contribution to dinner, rolls. The picture above was taken just before he opened his presents.
Here is the birthday boy with his brothers. As you can see, turning 16 still can be cool, even if you aren't driving. Head phones and cool sunglasses do help!
I am not sure that we did not give him the birthday that he had wanted, but I do hope that it was still a good birthday to remember. I love my oldest son dearly. He is silly, fun loving and he has gained a lot of new confidence while we have lived in the UK. He has also gained many things that he probably would not have in the US school that he was attending. This Thanksgiving, I was very grateful for the opportunity to take our kids to live overseas and I was grateful for what he has learned about others and most importantly about himself.
My husband and I felt a little bad about it and we tossed around not sending the kids to school and celebrating. My husband even had talked about leaving work early <gasp>. Honestly, Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays. It is just an excuse to eat a lot of food and watch American football. I sometime think that the meaning of the holiday has been lost on most Americans. I do think that my children are a small exception, only because at the beginning of November we watch the two Charlie Brown specials that are associated with the holiday. The special in particular that I am talking about is called "This is America Charlie Brown, The Mayflower Voyages".
I finally relented and told the kids that they could stay home from school, totally expecting cheers of joy and exclamations of what great parents we were. The youngest three were happy to have the opportunity to stay home even when I told them they had to help me cook. The 15 year old? Well, he was not happy. I was confused and a little mad. It turns out that he had not really wanted to be home since we weren't in the US and he had triple DT(Design Technology) that afternoon that he felt he could not miss because he has a big project going on. So, we made a compromise, I would take him and the 9 year old into school at 2:15. The 9 year old had cookery club after school that he did not want to miss. I dropped them off as planned and then headed home to finish up cooking, wrap presents and make cake.
I have been in denial about having a son that is turning 16. I am not ready to be the parent of a child that age. I swear that it seems just like yesterday that I brought him home in his car seat. At least while I am here, I can pretend for a little while longer that he is still 'little' my kid, even if he is taller then me now! In the US, this is a big birthday year that includes some freedoms. He reminded me in the car before the presidential election that when the next presidential election rolls around he and his 14 year old younger brother will both be able to vote in the next election, oh my!
I have to admit that I am glad that we are still in the United Kingdom where I don't have to deal with all that reality yet. In the United Kingdom, they apply for their permit 3 months before they turn 17. So, being here is putting driving aspirations off for now.
Sean grabbed the two kids who went to school and came home with his contribution to dinner, rolls. The picture above was taken just before he opened his presents.
I am not sure that we did not give him the birthday that he had wanted, but I do hope that it was still a good birthday to remember. I love my oldest son dearly. He is silly, fun loving and he has gained a lot of new confidence while we have lived in the UK. He has also gained many things that he probably would not have in the US school that he was attending. This Thanksgiving, I was very grateful for the opportunity to take our kids to live overseas and I was grateful for what he has learned about others and most importantly about himself.
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