notes from an empty nest

We had the greatest time ever, yesterday. The beach looked like it was going to suck, as a huge fog bank rolled in while we were unloading the car, but it blew out just as fast leaving clear blue skies and sand so hot it burned your feet if you weren't careful.

There was much boogie boarding, skim boarding, throwing of the tiny Nerf football, and the obligatory rash on the inner thighs. I am so sore today, the first thing I said when I woke up was, "Man, I really hurt my old yesterday."

When we got home from the beach to get cleaned up for dinner, I opened up my laptop to see if anyone had joined me in wishing Nolan happy birthday, and discovered 56 comments. I called him over so he could see, and I couldn't tell what excited him more: that I mentioned his birthday in my blog, or that so many people posted so many kind wishes for him. If you're a parent, you probably know that particular joy you get when you see your child light up with happiness, right? I got to see a whole lot of that yesterday, and I just wanted to thank everyone who took a minute to wish him well. WWdN reader Clay's comment about hitting old ladies in crosswalks was one of his favorites, and was repeated to several of his friends at dinner last night.

Right now, there are 91 comments, from all over the world, in several different languages, all wishing my little guy (sorry, he'll always be my little guy) happiness and joy. This is one of those things that I'll print out and make into a little booklet for him, and it means a lot to me, as his stepdad, that you all helped make him smile just a little bit bigger yesterday.

We took him to this teppanyaki restaurant where they sing an awesomely obnoxious birthday song (to the tune of Whalers on the Moon, as it turns out) and give away a wonderfully silly crown, which he wore until he went to sleep last night, even while we were playing Guitar Hero 2. Nolan totally owned me, and we both realized that, with Ryan away at college, Nolan is now the best Guitar Hero player in the house . . . I really need to practice Jordan on Expert more. (For those of you scoring at home, our favorite song in the entire game is "Yes We Can" by Made in Mexico. It's weird and silly and totally awesome, and we both thought the best practical joke ever would be making the main phrase of the song just repeat over and over again without ever ending. It'd be pretty funny to see how long people would keep playing before they realized something hinky was going on).

This morning, Nolan's dad picked him up for his annual weekly vacation with him, so Anne and I are totally empty-nesters this week. I'm always miss him when he goes for the week, but it's especially tough this year; I wish he was coming with me to PAX, because if there was a con that was designed specifically for him, this one is it.

Comments

[Russty]

I'm so glad Nolan had a nice birthday. Just yesterday my mother and I were discussing how there is nothing quite like fun time with your family. Your giving your kids great memories for the future that are priceless.

I'm jealous that you have time alone without the kids. Do something nice for yourselves. Before you know it Nolan will be back and life will ebb and flow as normal. Hope you guys have a great week!

[Tara]

I'm glad to hear you had fun for Nolan's birthday. Take this week to do something special with Anne because it's not often you have the empty nest for a week:)
~~TARA~~

[alikitty619]

Having a good birthday sticks w/ a kid and they remember it forever. It takes an amazing parent (step or otherwise) to give a gift that special to their child.

Hope you and Anne don't mourn the empty nest too much this week. Enjoy your time together.

[Chad.Hicks]

What can I say about Guitar Hero 2....

TROGDOR!!! \m/

Glad your son had a great birthday :)

Now, grab that guitar and start burninating!

[raphael]

The internet and blogging is a funny thing. Because of Wil, I’ve formed a vivid picture of someone I have likely never met in public.

I picture this dashing savior of humanity, kind and compassionate but with a will of iron, a purple velvet bag of polyhedral dice hung from his neck and a blaster hung at a rakish angle from his hip holster. He has a disc on his back, which contains his program key but which has also been thrown between the shields to take down maniacal programs bent on global domination. When he rides shotgun with Wil he is like Chewie, only with less hair, but still just as adept at nipping off those stinking mynocks.

Has Wil given us the exaggerated image of a young man seen through the eyes of a loving parent? Perhaps.

But next time I’m in Whole Foods and I see someone coolly smacking down on Sark and retrieving a lost cat for a little girl while he simultaneously scoops up a couple burritos for his old man, I’ll know who it is.

[Carol]

Sounds like a lovely birthday. However, I've got to disagree with Clay. The slower the pedestrian, the less points they are. Not damaging the walker does, in fact, garner more points, but certainly not double. Being able to hit the young and fast? THAT takes skill.

[rasa]

made in mexico. man... they're hometown heroes. i had no idea they were on GH, too funny! seen them more than a fair share of times:

http://www.myspace.com/zodiaczoo

[Greg]

"Yes We Can" is totally my favorite GH2 song. My wife rolls her eyes whenever it's my turn to pick the challenge song and I scroll to the bottom of the list....

[Clay]

Woo hoo! Me, FTW!

Glad Nolan had a good birthday!

And Carol, sure, it's less points for the old and slow, which is why doubling for not damaging the walker is actually not that big a deal. Double 1 and you only get 2... Sort of makes the old woman worth the same as a young kid, because it also takes skill not to damage the walker.

[starshine_diva]

Great. Now "Whalers on the Moon" is totally stuck in my head and I'm craving Futurama.

[kc9eow The Great Radish]

My 7 yr old son, Sam wants Guitar Hero. I think It'll be better than the Civ 4: Warlords expansion pack his father wants to get him :) Glad to hear it's so much fun!

[Queenkalliope]

Random thought (or possibly wishful thinking);
I noticed the many birthday wishes in german and it kinda got me thinking. I always thougth I was one of the few german people reading your blog and felt left out cause there's no way I'll get to be at a convention and get one of your books signed. But there seem to be quite a few of "us" so here's the thing: Why don't you check with your agenteditorwhatchimacallitperson and check if you can't do one of the cons in germany? I know we have lots every year and if *I* (me=lazy and cheap) am willing to go to whatever town you'll be in, I'm sure many others will, too.
Also, this is geek country, man. If you work the right angle there's tons of money to be made.

[Starr01]

C'mon Wil, isn't any part of you enjoying the alone time this week?

[AT]

"his annual weekly vacation"? Does that make sense? :P
(I'm playfully teasing, not flaming.)

Think of all the things you can do with the house to yourselves this week.

Glad Nolan had a great birthday and that beach time kicked ass.