Ring Ding a Ding

This past Saturday my dear, darling Oscar Valenzuela turned 12. As is usual for Oscar, he opted out of any sort of friend/class party and instead chose to be with just the family. His dad was here and spent most of the day shuttling him around to some favorite spots. Donut shop, laser tag, skating.
Oscar has really matured a lot this past year. He still loves his Legos, but now it is more about what he can create and how he can modify the kits rather than the play that usually happens once they are built. He has developed quite a sense of humor. We have had so much fun together these last few months. He definitely is very much like his dad but I am happy that he has picked up quite a bit of Sheppard as well.
He is so smart. I appreciate that his knowledge extends to most any subject. He is an entrepreneur and has started many business endeavours in this past year. The most recent has been a shoe shining business. He built himself a shoe shine kit with a little help from Pete. Being the shrewd businessman that he is, he negotiated a limited number of free shines for the supplies.
He is a generous and loving brother. Lately he has learned to stand his ground and not be guilted into "lending" money to his sister. The ironic thing is that he usually saves up all his money just so he can buy his sisters and brothers presents at Christmas.

He has been a very good influence on Olive. His patience with her is endless and he has mastered the art of distracting her from her tantrums. She adores him and made him this pillow all by herself( I just helped with the sewing machine). Her best drawing yet!
I have made Oscar a blanket for each of his birthdays for the past 5 or so years. I usually stick with the flavor of the week. Pokemon, Star Wars, there was a McDonald's theme a few years back. This year I went for something a little more academic. The periodic table of elements is now a regular part of my dreams. This was truly a labor of love. It is so hard to keep a secret from Oscar. I spread some false rumors around the house as I am wont to do now and then. This led him to believe that there was no way I had time to finish a blanket this year. I was happy he was surprised and liked it. He also received an amazing rock tumbler from Grandma Cathy and a cool fossil collecting set and tons of fossils from Grandpa Pat. A microscope and Lego's and Nerf. I also bought him a watch that he wanted so bad. A "real" watch. "Not digital mom, it has to have hands."

So Happy Birthday Oscar!One more year until you are a teen. I can only imagine what that will be like. If you continue to be as disciplined and responsible as you are now I am guessing it will be nothing like my teen years. Also, if you keep doing your exercise routine that you keep in your wallet for nightly use, you will also be very healthy. I love you O.R.!! FWA!!!!