All I Want...

..is money to save for something that my mom and dad won't buy me because it costs more than they would spend.  At least that seems to be the philosophy that Henry, William and Tessa have adopted.  Which is fine with me in a lot of ways.  

For Christmas both grandmas gave them money.  No it's not the same as opening up a fun toy or other gift.  But it allows them to save for a bigger or more expensive gift than they would normally receive.  

After Christmas Henry decided to buy a Jazz jersey for one of their new, talented players.  Obviously Jay and I buy him clothes but I'm not spending $60 on a shirt for a 13 year old boy.  Henry was happy to save for the jersey, however and buy it himself.  

William had birthday and Christmas money to spend so he went with a new telescope:

It's nicer than the starter telescope that he got a few years ago and he loves it.  He spends hours looking at star charts and trying to figure out where different objects in the sky are located.  He's been able to pick out Mars as it rose just after sunset.  He can't wait to take it to Moab in April when Jay takes the boys camping for a few nights in Arches National Park.  It has been a great gift for him. 

Tessa had saved lots of her allowance and between that and Christmas money she bought a new American Girl doll:

Her name is Grace and she is the 2015 Girl of the Year.  She is a baker and an entrepreneur and apparently has a movie coming out later this year in which she takes a trip to Paris.  Tessa bought a little accessories kit to go with Grace and it came with her cute beret, some tiny little postcards from Paris and some little plastic macaroons.  Tessa is very happy with her and has enjoyed playing with her so far.

Now they are all broke however so it's time to start saving again.  That's OK.  We don't have room for another telescope anyway.

5 Year Anniversary

Today is the 5th anniversary of Henry's big thyroid surgery and cancer diagnosis.  In some ways I can't believe it's been 5 years and in some ways it doesn't seem like it ever happened.  

Henry is fine.  He is healthy.  He does whatever he wants to do.  Every morning he takes his thyroid pill.  Every six to twelve months he has blood work and doctors appointments.  The thyroid pill is easy and he is really good to remember to take it every day, first thing.  The blood work is more painful and anxiety inducing but it's never as bad as he thinks it is going to be and we push through it.  I sometimes worry about the results of his blood tests but they have never been anything other than normal; if they are off a bit, it only means a tweak in medication dosage.  No big deal.

So, five year later, we have this:

Happy Anniversary!