kai's 14th birthday!

this teen of mine keeps growing... literally, he's just over 5'7"!!!

it was a school day when he turned 14 so the day didn't kick off with much fireworks but he woke to sunshine (it has been such a rainy few days), balloons and greetings of happy birthday and too many hugs and kisses from his mama.  later in the day, he was treated to a kanelbulle and a few small gifts (he received his main gift a month earlier, a gaming laptop).  then we met for asian food at the always flavourful farang.

thinking back over this past year, kai has grown and changed.  he has gained much confidence and awareness, becoming aware of the world around him... participating in conversation, offering his opinion, navigating the city on his own.  last term, he progressed in his schooling, took initiative.  he continues to be happy, adventurous and creative with a huge love of the outdoors.  drumming, parkour, mountain biking all seem to be a natural fit.  i like to think our travels, living away from home has been a positive effect for him.

it has been the biggest joy being his mama and watching him adapt, successfully, to this new life we have created for yourselves.

to celebrate, kai wanted a different kind of birthday party than the ones we have been having, the ones in which i invite our village of people to come out and celebrate.  instead, he decided he just wanted to hang out with his friends and eat subway sandwiches.  the only constant would be stefan's homemade layered birthday cake!

after weighing his options of what to do with his friends, he chose to hang out at the prison island escape room.  recounting their experience, it was a hit, the teens loved the activity involving both mental and physical challenges.  afterward, they went to subway for lunch and returned home to a table of a few sweets, the centerpiece being the caramel butter cream layered cake with hazelnut praline served with a drizzle of canadian maple syrup.  so good!

then they dispersed and spent the rest of the afternoon on the various computers, being silly, and having seconds of that sweet cake. (sorry about the quality of the photos, i was using my camera on the wrong setting!)

thank you to all of kai's friends for making his celebration a sweet one; he's lucky to have you, his very own village of people :)

happy birthday kai.  i love you more than you know... as we used to say to each other when you were just a babe, "i love you as strong as superman." and more.