Farmer Boy turned 5 one week ago. We had a pirate party, as per his request,. Twenty-two of us celebrated him with fine piratical fare and a treasure hunt. It was lovely to see him enjoying himself with the new friends we've made of late (families who are doing some form of alternative education like we are). It makes up for his first words to me when he woke up on his birthday last year, which were, "Are my friends downstairs waiting to celebrate with me?"

He is bright and fun, and just as loving, bighearted, and generous as he has always been. What a blessed woman I am.