Ralph was supposed to be going camping this weekend - the rest of us were supposed to be heading to State Wrestling. A little pandemic changed all of that. With all activities cancelled, this may have been the first time we celebrated his birthday on his birthday in a few years (maybe since it was last on a Sunday most likely). All challenges aside it was nice to celebrate his birthday on his birthday though I wish it could have been more grand considering there was no school, etc.
He had me read him the "Mr. Bithday" book from the Mr. Series this morning, he did some volunteer cleaning for someone, tried to remotely play some games with a friend - I don't think it worked as well as we were all hoping, and we had grandma and grandpa over for supper and cake.
Ralph was hoping he and his friend could enter the world they had created at the friend's house but they had to enter/create a new world. After someone's connection messed up they took a break until computers were free to try a different game.
The obligatory photo wtih presents wrapped . . this is more of a smile than some days . . .
and the obligatory photo with the unwrapped gifts. We should have time to learn the new games!
Once I found out we'd all be home on his birthday our next step was to figure out how to theme the cake . . . I gave Ralph a few ideas and he chose Pikachu. Ralph has been able to continue his like of Pikachu past the Pokemaon cards since he saw a camp counselor with a Pokemon hat and received his own hat a few years ago. The hat has become his sigature hat at scout campouts - he is easy to spot through the trees and in crowds.
I also try take an obligatory photo on each birthday with a basic background (which is usually on the stairway) . . . Ralph seems to have a knack for getting into a bind. Would you believe his foot slipped and he ended up falling down the stairs a bit? Finally got him upright and he is just getting too tall for this spot.
The most notable change in Ralph over the last 6-9 months is his growth spurt! Ralph is getting tall! I'm not sure what "norm" is but he has sprouted.
He had let his hair get a bit longer on the top but was outvoted a few weeks ago and was forced to get it cut and thinned up a bit. It was getting to long, is thick in his natural state and was in a continual state of bed head.
I have noticed lately Ralph is not too concerned with his socks matching.
I was telling Ralph tonight I really do appreciate his character . . . he likes volunteering/helping others, is caring and thoughtful and is much more senstive than people would think. He gives out his share of hugs and still likes holding my hand when walking.
Ralph likes to be called Ralpheroni pizza. I can't say I really know how that started.
I've thought more than once . . . it would be interesting to keep a log of Ralph-isms and look back on them in years to come. They disappear before I have a chance to write them down but he has some good ones.
One day in the car this past winter Ralph comments to me about certain types of books being ideal for certain meals . . .breakfast - comics like Garfield or Big Nate (just waking up; need something lighthearted), lunch could be a little more serious, etc.
Ralph goes through phases of talking to people out of the blue - if he is passing someone he might just say "hello there sir".
Ralph likes his walks to have purpose and enjoys walking to HyVee. He had honed into the sample schedule for awhile and would walk over there to get some samples. This past week he walked over a few times and would buy something for him or Henry and then a gift for someone else (a candy bar) - the first night he brought back a dark choclate mint kit kat for me. While I didn't need a candy bar it was so thougtful of him to think of someone else - we ended up splitting it.
Ralph likes boy scouts - he really likes the weekend camping trips. He went to a merit badge university a few weeks ago and earned a few more badges (Citizenship in the World and Music) . . . .He has been working on his cooking merit badge. He used 5 different cooking methods to make entrees including scrambled eggs and bacon on the stove top, boiled a hotdog, microwaved a sausage, grilled a hamburger, and baked meatloaf. He also made cheesy beef burritos and had great presentation with a orange slices on the side.
Ralph's food of choice is cereal followed by . . . .??? He is doing a better job diversfying his diet but still likes his cereal. He will eat almost anything put in front of him
He is becoming a youtube addict. He likes playing minecraft on the Wiiu as well as other games on his kindle. Ralph still enjoys reading.
His shoe size is a 4.5. Pants and tops are equivalent to 14-16.
The orthodontist put braces on the bottom teeth a few months ago. He has had the top braces on for nearly a year now. This round is to correct his bite . . . .once this come off we'll do it again sooner or later to straighten his teeth.
