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Avery's New Toy, and the Trials of Being Five.

So, while in the Queen City this weekend, Aunt Mel Mel provided Avery with one of the coolest presents a 2 year old could get - his own indoor jumpy-ball thing. He was afraid to get in to it until big brother Noah showed up (from a fresh ride on the Light Rail) and pounced on it like a Bengal Tiger. From there, typical Graham boy chaos ensued, complete with injuries and Jessica getting pelted in the face with a rubber ball. But she returned the hit, and fun was had by all, and upon deflating it I felt a lot like Richard Pryor and the Wonder Wheel (who is with me on that?). Avery left Charlotte a happy camper - so thanks Aunt Mel Mel!

Jessica and I also attended a little parent-teacher conference for our Noah yesterday, and heard all about his experiences in school. It made me a bit emotional afterwards, because I realized that though he is doing great - he has reached a point in his young life when he is having to deal with friendship issues, cliques, heartbreaks, and who he is. It hit Jessica emotionally as well, and she waxes poetically about it over at her Mama's Musings. Noah has always been sensitive, and yearns to please those around him. So, if another kid does not want to play with Noah one day - he takes it personally. But that is just part of life, and it is a really hard lesson to learn. He is beautiful to Jessica and me, and we would do anything for him. But when it comes to many of the social tribulations that he is (and will continue) traversing - we can not (and would not) change other kids. We can only support him, and try to be understanding, loving, stable, and guiding. I hope and pray that we are up to the challenge, because he deserves the best.

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