Who Knew Train and The Hoff Were Friends?

Just to warn you, I'm going to be doing some braggin' on one of my kids today.  If that's not your cup of tea, I will most likely be making fun of at least one of them tomorrow.  I'll see you then.

My birthday landed on the day before Thanksgiving this year.  We were going to be very busy, with packing the car, Grandparent's Day at school, the feast at preschool, and the loooong drive to Northeast Ohio.  The kitchen is my birthday and Christmas present, so I expected nothing but a few hugs and well wishes.

As the kids were gathering their belongings before school, my phone dinged.  I grabbed it and this message was on it:

Check your music list

Happy Birthday

 

Completely confused, I looked to Hubby.  He had no idea what was going on.

 

I went to my music, which previously had all of one song on it, to find an entire "Train" CD loaded and ready to play.  I looked around at the kids, and Phoenix had a shy little grin on his face.

 

Apparently, the night before he snuck off with my phone, used his iTunes card to buy it, then set an alarm to alert me to the fact.

 

When you hear about how self-centered teens are, know that there are plenty generous, thoughtful ones out there, too.

 

And then....

 

The last thing I did before leaving the house for our long drive was grab the mail out of the mailbox.  The results from the high school placement test Phoenix had taken a couple of weeks ago just happened to be in there.

 

I about drove off the road when he read out loud, "We are happy to inform you that of the nearly 300 students who took the test, your score was one of the top 10." 

 

Woo Hoo!!!

 

Ends up, he actually had the 4th highest score.

 

And with that score came a nice scholarship for his first year of high school.

 

Double Woo Hoo!

 

That boy got to order as many crepes as he wanted at our dinner stop that night.

 

To be able to watch this boy as he grows and matures is such a blessing.  He is kind, he is funny, he is responsible, hard-working, and thoughtful.  Turns out he's pretty darn smart, too.

 

Such happy surprises on my birthday.

 

I'll leave you with this.  Man, I do love Train.  And the video... It's got The Hoff.  If you're German, I know you're clicking over.

 

Have a lovely day!