When things started happening

I should be going to sleep but I’m feeling rather contemplative at the moment. Around this time fourteen years ago to the day (or should I say night), I started active and full on labor with my first-born child, Game Fanatic. I had been induced over twelve hours earlier and nothing much had happened. The Scientist had been with me all day but had gone home due to lack of activity. No sooner had he gotten to sleep when the hospital called him to return. There would be no rest for the next ten hours…Of course that was the beginning of little rest for many years.

Game Fanatic tried very hard to go to sleep early so that he could wake up early for his birthday. Unfortunately he’s become such a night owl that he’s still tossing and turning. Hopefully sleep will provide the rest he needs to take full advantage of the day. He’s planning on being quite busy.

I spent much of the evening making vegetable chickpea patties for tomorrow. I made them especially for Game Fanatic on his last birthday to fulfill his craving for chickpeas. They were a hit with several family members and have become often requested. I wasn’t going to make them this time, though, because they require so much time and are incredibly messy. Apparently it’s as expected that I make them as it is that my MIL will make special pancake rolls (crepes wrapped around savoury filling, dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, then fried) for him. I started the preparations about seven hours ago and have just taken the second batch from the oven to cool, which means I can go to bed soon.

Since Game Fanatic isn’t all that keen on birthday cake, he requested that I make brownies instead. The recipe I used was a chocolate malt brownie, made with a store version of Malteasers and chocolate chips. As my niece is allergic to dairy,  I also made butterscotch blondies as an alternative. Either way, dessert will be quite unhealthy although I think the blondies will be less so.

I must say I am feeling incredulous to have a fourteen year old now and as we creep year to year, I can feel his adulthood becoming closer and closer. It’s very strange to think of my children as adults but it’s only a few years away now! Wow!