We woke up in Sault Ste. Marie on Moose’s Birthday.
Once Moose was awake per our usual tradition, time to open Mom and Dads present. Moose opened the hidden box to find a new pair of black and blue ‘Jordan’s’. The brand of shoes he’s been keeping an eye on. Moose is one of those really special kids, he doesn’t jump and down and scream with crazy excitement, or even show disappointment if he is. He always shows his appreciation with a sweet ‘Thank You’ and a hug. For the Jordan’s, we got BIG hugs and quite a few Thanks Guys, followed by the immediate wearing of said shoes. Bowie picked something a bit unusual for a birthday gift, but not when you are giving to Moose: Crocodile Pepperoni. And he was thrilled haha.
We didn’t want to spend the day driving on Moose’s big day, so we planned a short drive (for us) 3 and a half hours to Sudbury. Here they had a really cool Interactive Science Centre with an Imax. We thought he’d have fun messing around with things and we could watch the Imax and keep his mind off of missing everyone.
Well, that backfired big time. Obviously, how could it not. He’s a teenager! What we hoped to avoid with fun and silliness inevitably happened. Moose got bummed out. For all of his birthdays we have had dinner at a restaurant of his choice with his Nana, Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle, and a party. I have always gone all out for the big party (usually at home, his preference) with his friends. Themed food and cakes, all home made and wacky games when he was younger. This year was different. We were alone. And he was alone, and at his age…we are not always enough. He had calls and texts all throughout the day, which helped I am sure. But the short drive…felt really long at that point.
So what do you do to cheer up a bummed out teen? Sing to him…nah doesn’t work anymore…Scream out to him when you see Amish people driving in their horse and buggy…Yes, that seemed to help. So I did…for at least 3 groups haha.
When we arrived in Sudbury, Moose saw his restaurant of choice. M.I.C Restaurant, “Made in Canada”. It was full of Canadiana and pictures of famous Canadians. Plus the food was excellent. Moose got the Bruschetta Pizza, and Bowie the MIC Burger. Our hotel, The Towneplace Suites, by Marriott, was right up the hill so we checked in. Moose went to have some more chats on his phone. Science Museum…nah. Imax…nah. He wasn’t into it.
So we all chilled in the pool and hot tub for a while. Then it was time for dinner. Our hotel room was the best one yet, on purpose. A great room for a great kid. In addition to a large living space we had a full kitchenette. So we decided to make him his own special dinner and have cake the old fashioned way.
It perked him up abit…and I’ll take it. It’s not lost on Chris and I that some days will be really hard. We had hoped to get him to Niagara Falls on his B-day, but it would have to wait for now…
Happy Birthday Moose, Thank you for being a trooper and weathering the strange birthday this year.
Xo Mom
