Once again it’s time for your birthday letter and once again it’s late. It’s fantastically late, setting new records even! I continue to make fabulous failings in this area. You’re welcome. Now let’s never speak of this again.

For you’re 9th birthday we hosted a fashion shoot birthday party for 8 of your closest friends. We had some really fun pictures from that.

But being a DeGraff, that would never be enough, so of course there was a family celebration. Although you were turning 9, you enjoy eating with the 60 and over set, so the family celebrated by eating at Piccadilly and then headed to the movies. We watched Spy Kids Smell-a-vision and then finished the night up by purchasing half the books at Borders going out of business sale. Good times. If you are 72 yrs, or enjoy putting sharp objects in your left eye.

I’m sure there were many other spectacular events, but it’s simply been too long. Yes, something to be said for writing these things in a timely fashion. Duly noted. I thought I said to never mention it again?

Emmers, you have turned into quite a beauty. I hesitate to mention it because I certainly want you to be known for other things, but it’s there. And it’s certainly hard to ignore. I hear it every where we go. That and the bit about your really great hair, that I’m not bitter about at all. Nope.

You continue to love dance. This year we have switched to a professional studio and you are flourishing there. It always cracks me up how you trip on the way into dance and then dance like the most graceful creature ever. I think you may get that from me. Sorry.

And lets not forget how you spread your wings even further by spending the summer attending musical theater camp. There’s no better place for you than on the stage!

You continue to be a good student and a social butterfly. At this point I doubt that this will ever change. That is simply who you are. A smart, caring, loving person who cares about everyone, (and needs to talk to them all.) There are a whole lot worse things to be in life.

Keep up the good work. I love you always,
Mom

PS It was nice of you to where a clean shirt to dinner. *Heavy Sigh*
PSS I’m still 21.

This is such a big week end for you! On Friday you turned 8 years old and on Sunday you were baptized. LSU was even nice enough to play the season opener in between. And today is Labor day, good thing I can sleep when I’m dead.

So let’s get right to it. It has been a great year. This year you finished up 2nd grade on the honor roll, continued to dance and have taken an interested in art. You partied like it was 1999 all summer, complete with the trips to Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL and the annual beach trip to the island. Third grade is off to great start too, if we don’t talk about your conduct. At all. Ever. You, of course, still love to read.

You have had a real growth spurt in the last few months and have gotten so big. Which is great for you, because it meant all new clothes. Your father cried clutching the check book while we shopped. We all have our rolls in this family.

Your actually birthday was spent at a blow out at Build a Bear with 8 of your friends. On Saturday we had another 20 plus of all our closet friends over for a your birthday/Liah’s birthday/the LSU game. But because all that was not enough and there were no hurricanes this year, on Sunday you were baptized at 4 pm wearing an outfit that Olivia, (Liah’s sister) was baptized in. The girl’s mother Annie, was so sweet to lend us the creation she had so lovely sewn for her own daughters. You then changed into the most delicious dress ever seen. Tifani and I spent weeks designing it, and then Tifani sewed it to life. Because you were such a vision, we simply had to invite everyone back to the house to eat and party some more. And come they did. We entertained over 30 of our closest friends well into the night. It was a blast. I hope you enjoyed it as much as everyone else seemed to.

Emme, you are stunning. Anyone who looks at you can tell that, but there is so much more to you. You are so kind and loving. You have been from the moment you entered the world. And while you will spend your life being told how pretty you are, what I want to you to always remember and carry with you is that kind heart. It is what it is truly important. You have such a special spirit. I hope you know that. I hope I tell you that enough so that you never question it. I know you will continue to grow into the intelligent, gorgeous, caring young lady that I constantly see glimpse of now. I can’t wait to continue to watch that growth. You go girl, get out there and rule the world. Well maybe in another 10 years or so, because for now I am still loving having the snuggliest 8 year old on the planet. (Who continues to be the best hugger in the world.)

All My Love,
Mom

Today you turn another year older and for your birthday I got you kids that go back to school tomorrow. You’re welcome.

I figured this year you should have a birthday letter since you included me in the the school blessings. I do like to follow your lead. Wow, I almost typed that with a straight face!

So what have you accomplished this year? Well, you continue to work at that state agency that so graciously deposits money in our account every two weeks for me to spend. (That’s my favorite part, you know?) As long as they keep doing that, I’ll keep sending you. And they keep doing that because you keep doing a fantastic job directing their communications, (what ever that means.) Seriously you consistently put together amazing fairs, PR campaigns and annual reports. Everyone says so and I honestly couldn’t be more proud of you.

You continue to play softball for the Wombats. In fact you had a game tonight in which you went 2 for 3. The whole family really enjoys going out to your ball games, even grandpa Bob regularly gets in on the action.

You also continue to perform amazing feats on the grill and throw killer LSU parties. But that is weeks away, and I’m more a what’s right in front of me, oh look shiny, kind of girl so I’ll move on.

Now honestly other than work, baseball, LSU and well us, your lovely family, I really can’t think of anything else that you are in to. If I’ve missed something I truly apologize, but I’m really thinking that you need to get some extra curricular actives. Let’s work on that okay? Especially if we are going to continue with the birthday letters.

Jeff, all joking aside, you are the best thing that every happened to me. I can’t imagine life without you in it. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, mostly those damn cherubs, but you? You are the smartest decision I ever made. Thanks for making my life better.

Love,
Erika

*Title taken directly from Jeff’s facebook birthday status.

Continuing in family tradition, your birthday stretched the week. On Monday, (your actual birthday) I checked you out of school early. We then had family over for cake and ice cream in the evening. You requested cookie cake instead of my usual cup cakes for the family party. (We’ll talk about that later.) The rest of the week consisted of half schools days and parties as the year wrapped up.

On Thursday, we had the ‘friend’ party, which consisted of friends from school at laser tag. I gotta tell you, that was the easiest birthday I’ve ever done. They even provided pizza and the cake. You all seemed to have a really great time. Even your father who managed to make a little kid cry. We are all so proud.

Friday morning a I had a few clients to see, so I loaded you guys up and after work, we headed over to the red neck riviera of Biloxi MS. Despite a rocky start, of a closed interstate doubling our travel time, we had a blast, swimming at the hotel pool, touring Beauvoir, (or what’s left of it after Katrina) and hanging out at the beach. We really did have a great time and only your father is sun burnt.

This school year you continue to hang out on honor roll and have several good friends. Alex and you continue to be tight, but I can’t help wondering how that is going to work out now that he is headed to middle school. New friends consist of Sebastian from your class and the Sant boys from church. Really now more than ever you seem to have surrounded yourself with a really good group of kids. I hope you always continue to make good choices in the people you hang out with. Trust me on this one, it IS important.

Since our last birthday letter you’ve continued to play every sport known to man. This year you’ve add football to the rotation, but currently you are obsessed with baseball. We are waiting for your season to start. I had thought at one point you might be ready to settle down and specialize in, well, something, but obviously that is not the case. It is not just playing sports that your are passionate about. You and your father often commandeer the TV for hours on Saturdays to watch what ever sporting event is paramount to the hour. I look forward to seeing what will shake out of this passion.

Jack, here’s where I get all mushy on you. (Hey we all knew it was coming.) You are smart, athletic, pig headed and really sensitive. All qualities that will serve you well in life. You hold within you all the ingredients to be a great man. I mean a really great person in this world. Continue to make good decisions to learn and be kind to people. Be willing to stand up for what you believe and learn when a fight is just not worth it. Learning that difference will be one of the challenges in your life, but I promise it will be worth.

I love you so very much. I am more proud of you and the person you are becoming that I could ever say. I know you will do great things and I’m so lucky to be along to watch them. I guess you could say that is the theme of this year. I can’t wait to watch all the things you are gonna do and become. I couldn’t be more excited to coach and cheer you from the side lines. This is a great game.

I love you Jackson,

Mom

Today you turn 19 years old.

I know, that is my reaction too.

While I was able to get out of writing your birthday letter last year, by spending hours putting together a birthday video, I doubt that will work this year. But I am beginning to see where you get the ability to spend hours getting out of a task that would take minutes to complete if you only focused on it.

This year has been more of the same. I can’t really think of much that has changed over this past year. You continue to work full time and date Sam. I guess something new is that you have formally declared your intentions to marry Sam. That in fact, you would have already married her if you could find health insurance on your own. But the state of our country’s health insurance is not something that I am willing to go into just to avoid your birthday letter.

You continue to be a hard worker, sometimes working 12 or 14 hour days. This is nothing new, you have always been willing to put in a honest days work and then some.

You have grand plans of moving out into your own place and I have grand plans of what I will do with the largest room in this house once you’re gone. I want you to know, that I will always dream of what I can do with that room, but if it never happens, it’s okay. You will always have a place in this house as long as I own it. That doesn’t mean that you can’t go, just make sure you’re ready.

Last night we celebrated your birthday with a few of your friends. Jeff grilled burgers and Emie and I made you chocolate cake. It was really nice of you to fit us in your busy schedule. Who knew we only had to feed four of your closest friends to achieve it?

Jacob, I love you. I know that we don’t always agree, and I’m pretty sure that’s because you are wrong, but I still love you. Nothing you do will ever change that. I’m proud of the person you are growing into and I hope that you continue to make good decisions. (And stop making poor ones.) No matter what you do or where you go in life, I will always be here if you need me. I expect great things out of you, despite our rocky start.

Have a great birth day, week, year and life. I hope this one is the best one yet!

Love,
Mom

Well crap, I’m late with your birthday letter. Again. It’s your fault really, for being born in the middle of hurricane season and the start of school. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it and what a rough pregnancy you were, YOU should be writing ME birthday letters. Get on that will you?

So seven years and four days ago, a combination of your failure to thrive and my whining to my OB resulted in you showing up at 3:09 pm, (after a little help from Pitocin.) You were by far my easiest labor, which I really appreciate but kinda of feel like you owed me after being so difficult for the proceeding nine months.

Since that day seven years ago, I have to be honest and admit, you’ve kinda been a joy and much easier than the boys. (Don’t tell them I said that.) Now I don’t want you to get the big head and think that you are without the drama. You are way more sensitive than ANY cherub I’ve ever seen and extremely fearful of new activities, and especially pain. Going to the dentist is usually an apocalyptic event.

Your seventh birthday is a prime example of that. This is the year that you decided that you were ready to pierce your ears. So after much arm twisting and a few out and out WWE events, we got your father’s permission to proceed. I picked both you and the male cherub up from school and headed straight to the mall and the new Build a Bear Workshop. Yep, we finally got one and almost 70 dollars and a camo bear and girlie bunny rabbit later, headed over to Libby Lu’s to do the deed. Only the Libby Lu’s in the mall has since closed, and I knew that I was testing you and you failed.

So after re-grouping, and being joined by your father, we headed to Clair’s and attempt number one to pierce your ears. Things went fine through the whole sterilization and ear marking period, but then you wouldn’t let the girl near your ears with the gun. It’s actually funny to look at your little face fall in the pictures. Fast forward through three more tries of sterilizing everything, and then crying when she comes near you with the gun, and then crying because you really want your ears pierced, but are too scared, add in a trip to the bathroom and watching another little girl get her’s done and then SUCCESS. Whew, that wasn’t really that bad was it? Wait, don’t answer that, the pictures say it all. Like I said, drama.

WHA WHO, we are doing this!

Marking the spot.

Second thoughts.

Still haven’t pierced.

SUCCESS, but wait, you have TWO ears.

You can do this!

Aw, done and suckers make EVERYTHING better.

You are still telling everyone you meet that you got your ears pierced. Which is fine because your father is still rocking in the corner because you got your ears pierced.

We wrapped up the seven extravaganza with ten of your closest friends at the roller rink and a Janell Cake!

We might have gone a little over board this year to due our friend Gustav stealing your birthday last year. This is compounded by the fact that I that I try to keep birthdays low key every other year, to save my sanity. (Odd years, because most major milestones occur on even years and it keeps the big hoop-las of you and your brother on opposite years. In theory any way.) So you were low key for five, and had six snatched right from you little hands. To add insult to injury, I got to do all the work and planning for six, it just never happened. Okay, so I’m not really sure who is more bitter about that.

So that about wraps up the seven extravaganza. Of course we will do this again next year because you will turn eight and will be baptized. Barring any hurricane activity in the Gulf, of course. That’s always a possibility because someone decided early September was a good time to make her entrance into the world. I won’t mention any names though.

I guess I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how incredibly bright you are. You continue to thrive in the gifted program and are now reading on a fifth grade level. You are rawking the second grade with much better conduct reports. You have only gotten four X’s this years. You could do that in under a week last year. I hope it keeps up.

You continue to enjoy being everyone and their brother’s best friend. You still enjoy TV more than anyone else in the family, okay, maybe I give you a run for your money. You read even more than last year and now enjoy chapter books. Your room continues to be a struggle for you, you may in fact be lost to a land slide in there one day. But most of all, you still give the best hugs on the planet. I defy the world to find a better huger. Go head and just try.

Emie, I love you and I’m so lucky to have the front row seat as you continue to grow into the charming, beautiful, smart person that you are. I’m going to close now before I get too mushy, but just know that I honestly believe that you will one day rule the world and I’m happy that I can say ‘hey, I know her’. Thank you for letting me being your mom, I can’t imagine doing anything better. I love you best.

Hugs and Kisses,
Mom

Happy happy birthday. Today was a really big day for you, and everyone turned out in droves to help celebrate. In fact, I have spent half a utility bill on cakes and cake like confections, because everyone and their brother wanted to celebrate this momentous occasion with you. That, and they wanted cake. In fact that seems to be the theme of eight, cake. It’s also entirely possible that I’ve gained another five pounds this weekend. There will retribution for that little fact, but there’s no need to dwell on that in your birthday letter. There will plenty of time for that, like at 12:01, you know, once your birthday is over.

You have some how managed to turn your birthday into a birth weekend. Why I’m surprised by that I don’t know, it happens every year with you and your sister. But somehow here I sit amazed.

So we started off Friday night with a small ‘friend’ party that consisted of 24 cupcakes and 5 eight to ten year olds. Suffice it to say that there was laser tag, fart jokes and well, farts. And lots them. All of them. Luckily for all involved, your father took the bullet on that one and was able to enjoy watching the hours of laser tag. Thus saving my brain from rolling out of my ear. Thank you daddy.

Saturday was spent relaxing. By that I mean, you had a friend stay over Friday night and stay allllll day Saturday, but hey, at least we were down to only four cherubs, three of them being native. I put you all in bed by 9 o’clock. I’ve never been so glad to see bed time in my life. Why you may ask? Because there was more to come on Sunday.

We kicked Sunday off with a rousing session of church, followed immediately with your baptism. It went brilliantly, and half the ward turned out. I was so surprised at the number that turned out. We were down to the wire with the cake. (There’s that damn cake again.) I almost lost it multiple times during the program. I had thought I might bear my testimony while you were getting dressed, but when the time came, I was so emotional, I just couldn’t. I almost lost it more times than I can count. If you tell anyone about that, your bear just might disappear. I’m not threatening here, just saying things happen.

But we have survived all that and live to tell the tale. Lived to tell you all the things I love about you. Like how you accept everyone and make them a part of your life. Your friends are diverse as your pokedeck. I admire that about you. You have remained positively passionate about video games. Pokemon still reigns supreme, but I’m hoping that will start to wain shortly. Please? Soon? You show occasional glimpses of maturity that blow my mind. They way you process information and seem to just ‘get’ whats going on is nothing short of impressive. School, of course, continues to come easily to you. I love that you just come in and do your home work these days. I rarely even have to check it at this point. It’s so nice being here with you.

Jackson, I love you. I’m so ridiculously happy you’re a part of my life and this family. You are kind, and sweet and smart. Your getting so big, I can’t believe you’ll be in third grade next year. Where did the time go? I swear I just birthed you last year. Please don’t ever lose your love of learning and sense of wonder in exploring the world. I so enjoy watching you figure everything out. I’m proud of you, and all that you have accomplished so far. Thank you for bringing that to our family and thanks for being my little boy, even if just for a little while longer.

love,
Mom