The actual day.

Yesterday was the best birthday ever. N insisted they have school although a holiday was offered. "Why would I not want to have school? I love school!"

So as a bonus, he was allowed to pick subjects--math and history. When I came home both boys were playing an Egyptian game, Senet, on the porch, dressed as Egyptian boys ("but we didn't shave our heads, we are pretending!"). [DD moans that we have turned into a homeschool cliche!]

He had requested eclairs from the Greek bakery in Atlanta (remember still no working oven) and Egyptian/Babylonian food (bread, olives, pickles, hot peppers, Feta, and figs...and CocaCola). Loved his presents: books, videos, CDs, astronomy and electricity kits, as well as an NA kit to make his own moccasins (he picked this out himself last month). He always buys other people things on his birthday, and had bought B a kit to make a 6 inch high teepee. He promised that once he learned from the kit, he would make us all moccasins.

No toys. He has lost all his toys from previous poor choices. He announced he didn't care because he was almost an adult now at 11. "Oh, please," said B. "Gran is 54 and Mom is 38 and they still buy themselves toys."

The movies he chose to watch were an archaeological one called Valley of the Kings, Bullet Proof Monk (good movie!), and some CG space opera that was very good (even though I fell asleep toward the end).

I think we have our boy back instead of the demon who has been inhabiting his body off and on for a while!

Oh, yes, when B proudly presented the CD he picked out, an anthology in pink called "Love Songs you know by Heart," N looked a little funny but thanked him. I said, "B, you have to tell him why you wanted to give him that one, why you chose that one." "Because I love you and I know it by my heart."

Such a glurgy, Hallmark moment. Tears filled N's eyes and he hugged B fiercely and even kissed him on the mouth, something he rarely allows anymore "since my age has 2 numbers!"