Well, we had a pretty nice day today. Ellen, Daniel and the grandkids came over for Paul's 12th birthday party. Paul and I had already gone out to eat on Wednesday, on the date of his birthday, following martial arts class. We went to a restaurant that does a birthday surprise and he was, indeed, surprised. He asked me how they knew it was his birthday, and I told him I'd arranged it beforehand. He had acted like he didn't want the fuss, but I think he was secretly pleased. In any event, we had cake and ice cream today. Then, we went on a "field trip" to Drexel Woods near the house, looking for plant specimens for a project, and generally having a good time. Paul really likes the woods, and enjoys playing in a little creek that runs through it. He plays "Indian Scout" - he is "He who runs" and I'm "She who sings." Isn't that funny? He's still a kid in so many ways. I mean, he took his birthday money from his dad and bought Legos. I don't want this to end - it might be irritating to go to Lowe's with him, and have him imagine every garden tool is a weapon a troll might use, but at the same time, I don't want him to become a surly teenager. The teenager part is inevitable, but I hope the surly part isn't :)