As some of you already know my one and only child JCH turned 14 years old this past Monday. I simply cannot get over the fact that he’s growing up so fast. And, I really can’t even think about him starting high school this coming September. Honestly, I don’t know where all the time goes.
Every year I have tried to make a big deal about my son’s birthday. In fact, I usually let him stay home from school so he and I can spend that day doing something fun together. I’ve thrown outrageous parties for him. And, I’ve been fortunate enough in the past to have been able to afford most of the presents he’s ever wanted. But as he’s gotten older, I’ve also given him things that were more ‘meaningful’ and less ‘materialistic.’
When my son turned 12, I wrote him THIS LETTER. [*warning: may induce tears*]
And when he turned 13, I made him THIS VIDEO.
[Seriously people, take your time to click on the links. I’ll still be waiting right here for you to come back!]
This year, I wasn’t exactly sure what I could possibly do for JCH to make his birthday special.
I tell my son that he is loved every singe day, so that wouldn’t be anything new. He couldn’t take the day off from school as JCH is a ‘Lead Character’ in this years ‘Production’ of ‘Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory’, and he had ‘Dress Rehearsals’ until 9pm. And I promised my son that I would not *embarrass* him or *surprise* him this year with another ‘Sappy Letter’ or another ‘Sappy Video’. [Of course that did NOT stop me from buying him another ‘Sappy Birthday Card’.]
Thankfully, we do have one particular ‘Family Tradition’ and I was determined to go all out. When it’s someone’s birthday around here, they get to decide what they want to have for dinner, and they don’t have to cook or clean up. All my son wanted for his birthday was to have ‘Crab Legs’. And oh boy, did he have a lot of Crab Legs.
Now, as most of you also know, there is always someone in my family that will come along and make the whole night memorable. And this time, it was my brother ‘Abercrombie‘ who made my son laugh harder than I have ever seen him laugh in his whole life.
Why is that you ask?
Well let’s take a look.
Shall we?
First, this is the *birthday* card that my brother bought for my son.
And that? Was funny enough.
Especially considering it’s intended for a 13 year old girl.
But when my son opened it up and started to read it?
That’s when JCH couldn’t even get the words out in-between hysterical bouts of laughter.
See for yourself!
Ah yes.
Another successful birthday has come and gone.
To My One And Only ‘Boy’ Who Is Practically Already A ‘Man’, Sometimes Referred To As ‘JCH’ And Otherwise Known As ‘Whosteen’ : Happy 14th Birthday.
Well, Happy Birthday to the lil … urrmmmm … I mean big fellow 😀
Happy Birthday!
It looks like he had an amazing celebration. I noticed from the photo that he is already taller than you. He is going to be tall.
Ya, see….this is what I LOVE about your family….all the LAUGHTER!
What a wonderful family you have, Meleah! Your brothers' card CRACKED ME UP – how FUNNY! That's something I would do!
I went back and read the letter and watched the video. BRAVA on both! You're SO clever with your videos, girl!
Happy Birthday, JCH!
P.S. be sure to take some photos of his performance in “Willy Wonka” – I'd love to see them!
Thank you
He's taller than me even on the rare occasion I wear heels
awww…your son is so sweet. our daughter is turning 24 this saturday. it goes so fast!! but it is always good to have those wonderful moments where you laugh and laugh. happy birthday to your son!
hugs,
puglette
:o)
Ph Ronnie, I am going to be at his school play All Three Nights : Wed, Thur, Fri and I will be the most annoying papparazi parent that ever lived! JCH has the role of Grandpa Joe so he's in a LOT of scenes and his make up is KICK ASS! I will be sure to post photos!
Aw. Thank you.
And your daughter will be 24? Oh God! I'm freaking out over 14!
Happy Birthday JCH! It's good to hear you laugh Meleah. x
Ok, so my internet connection at home isn't working, which means I have to check in on everyone from work. Why am I telling you this? Because it means that I am sitting at my desk CRYING! Your letter to your son got me all sniffly and emotional and then the birthday card KILLED me! My colleagues are all looking at me like I'm a freak! (Well, in all fairness, they pretty much always look at me like that!) Happy birthday JCH, you are one amazing young man. I know where you get it from 🙂
xoxoxo AIR! I love you!
OH! Nicky! Im sorry, that letter to my son is a tear jerker. I guess I should have warned you! And I go from crying to laughing ten times an hour so people think I'm a freak too. At least you have a reasonable explanation for looking like a basket case at your desk!
Watching JCH reading that card was one of the best moments of my life as a gramma. Thanks, Abber, for making that happen, and thanks, Meleah, for preserving it in our “family video archives”. Most importantly, Thanks Whoo-steen for being the best grandson any gramma could ask for! I love you more than the whole sky! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo <3 <3 <3
thanks for being The Best Gramma to JCH. xoxo
Kids grow up waaaaaaay too fast. Your family reminds me so much of mine – my brothers and sisters are insane and always giving and doing ridiculous things to make my kids laugh. Just imagine the memories your son will have when he grows up – awesome.
p.s. – what was that sick cackling in the background? was someone dying? (hehe)
I love that my son is going to have great childhood memories!
And, that crazy laugh is my mom!
her teens were a challengs. but we all survived and she is a lovely young woman. i think that makes her birrthday's easier. except for making me feel too old 😉
I watched the video and was about to start crying but thankfully you switched up the music. He is his mother's son, no doubt about it. Happy Birthday to JCH!
Oh yeah, the sappy 13 year old birthday video music HAD to be changed halfway! There is only so much Joan Baez my son will allow!
You have raised him well then. No one can handle that much Joan Baez.
OOps. I meant Joni Mitchell! Ahahhahahahahah
That sounds more like it. I don't know my hippie chick music all that well
so I don't have an ear for all of them. Now if it had been Def Leppard I
would have known it.
Thanks for giviing ME hope that I will survive the next few years otherwise
known as teenager hell!
Ahahahhaha!
xoxoxoxo
OMG the video of him reading the card had me laughing as hard as you all!!! What a classic!! Happy Birthday J!!!
oh, He's Adorable!!!!!! Just thought you'd like my opinion on that! lol
oh and one more thing….my kid Lauren's birthday is called “Christmas in July”! lol
Ahahhahaha. I love “Christmas in July!” And every time I watch that video of him reading the card I laugh all over again. My mom's CRAZY laugh is the loudest in the back ground.
If you lived next to me, we would constantly laugh together, laugh with our kids and laugh at our kids. 🙂 I can just tell! Everything you write that made you or your family laugh would make me and my kids laugh. Your posts always make me happy! My oldest is going to be a JUNIOR and will have to start looking at…. are you ready for this… COLLEGES. My middle son is going to be a freshman in HS, and fortunately my daughter is only going to third grade – phew! But girls are older than boys so ugh! I have to share a secret I can't write on my blog. I have a double bed and last night I was watching TV with my oldest, who was on the other side, head at the bottom of the bed. He fell asleep and I left him there. For a short night my “baby” was next to me sleeping… of course he was not happy about this when he woke up LOL but I had to smile. They just grow up too fast!
that card is too funny, but i can't cry tonight. i've seen the video and almost certain i've read the letter. hope he had a good one.
Awww. Happy Birthday JCH. Your brother is awesome. I love when things are so funny you can't even talk. It's usually only family who can do that. I'm sure he had an amazing birthday!
WE would TOTALLY laugh all day! I'm glad I make you smile and feel happy
when you read my posts!
I am DREADING thinking about High School!
Don't make me think about college!
I feel your pain.
Awwww. I loved your secret.
I really MISS those days too.
Ahahahah. I love you val. Yes, you did read the letter and video.
And that's why THIS YEARS video is a HAPPY one!
xoxoxo
Thanks Selma! And YOU have the same birthday as my son
SOOO
Happy Birthday to YOU too!
xoxoxo
Happy birthday there young fella!! Bat Mitzvah. LOL! That is so not right. I can't recall when I was 14. It was all a blur of acne and video games. Hope he had fun.
We had a great night! Thanks!
Ha ha ha! That video really cracked me up! You have such a cool and loving family, Meleah! Happy birthday to JCH! Enjoy the teen years and be thankful for your wonderful family!
Happy Belated Birthday to your son! May he be blessed with great health, happiness and love. I love the video that you had made for him last year. It was not only sweet but also put smiles on my face when I was watching it.
Hi Meleah!,
I've really enjoyed browsing around your site, it's a great read. Your son's b'day celebration looks so sweet and fun! He is quite lucky to have such a clearly devoted and loving mom. And it's shines through in that picture of the two of you together how much love there is between you two; just beautiful! I've got a 3-year old and a 6-year old so I can't even imagine the teen years yet, but it does seem like the years since they were babies have gone by SO fast!
Anyway, thanks for sharing a bit of your lovely celebration with us. 🙂
Well, on a morning I head to the dentist's office, you gave me a nice chuckle. I'm still smiling.
I think order has been restored on our new site. (Yes, you had already commented on that post. We lost five recent posts, but just decided to move on and not repost them.) It's been some transition that's for sure. What a pain. Podcast should be up sometime today. New post is up.
Have a great day.
Hahahahahaha! I loved the part where he tossed the money aside as if it was totally unimportant! ROFL!!! What a nice young man!
Happy birthday, JCH!
Mel,
You're an amazing woman, of course you're going to have an amazing son. His laugh is the best. I'd like you to record the laugh for about a half-hour and then send it to me. He has one of those laughs that just make you smile no matter what.
Fabulous letter and I have a similar story about the monster potion…And the eye surgery for that matter. Ugggh! That was terrifying. I almost lost my daughter to that one.
I look back on those years and the only regret I have is that I wish I would have enjoyed those moments more.
You are such a fantastic writer, I really hope you get that book finished.
As I was reading your post, I was thinking of how wonderful it would be for you to write a book about your family. All of your experiences, good times and bad. The trials and tribulations. I know it would be a phenomenal book and I would read it a million times and buy one for all my friends.
We'll have to meet someday. Hugs and smooches.
Your pal,
Gina
Oh! And Happy Birthday JCH!!!
Thanks Marty! And If YOU ever find yourself in NJ I think you need to come to KHCC for your 365 Bar Crawl! And then you can meet us in person!
Aw. Thank you! And thank you for watching it! xoxoxo
Thank you. Nice to *meet* you!
I see that you didn't add the link to YOUR blog in your comment. However will I know how to visit your site?
Oh Okay! I was all confused when I stopped by your new website this week! Ill be back over today!
Congratulations to your son, looking at the picture of the two of you it is hard to believe you have a child that old. 😉
My younger brother's birthday is on the same day; he turned 55 and didn't look near as happy as your son.
OMG! JAY! That's MY favorite part too! Ahahahahhahah
🙂
“the only regret I have is that I wish I would have enjoyed those moments more.”
Me too, me too.
And HELL YES. WE really need to MEET in REAL LIFE. I am dead serious about that!
Your my TWIN for crying out loud!