My son’s birthday was in June, on St. Jean Baptiste Day (that’s a Quebec holiday) and I tried to contact him to find out what he wanted or needed but he is pretty self-sufficient and is so wonderful in saying he only wants to see me.  There is nothing else he needs or wants.  I’ll be in Canada in August and I will spoil him then. It is always a challenge to try to find something that I can organize on the date of his birthday, without knowing what he might really want.  I look forward to seeing him when we’ll spend some time together.  August, that’ll be here before you know it.

My grandson’s birthday is coming up very soon.  July 19th, he will be turning seven (7) years old.  I won’t wait until August to spoil him so I went searching for some ideas.  It is hard to select anything for youngsters, but I’ve always believed in educational, fun gifts for which his parents feel the same way.

He is such a bright young lad and it’s hard to guess what gift would enthuse him.  He reads very well and has loved the subscriptions to “Chirp” and “Chickadee” magazines that I have arranged for him in past years.  He already has every game and toy out there, so purchasing something like that would be wasteful.

This year, I searched Amazon Canada for good reading gifts and read several reviews before selecting some fun-reading books.  Many young kids appear to be interested in “Star Wars”...something from my son’s era, which I find surprising.  For James’ birthday, I decided to order a “Star Wars, The Clone Wars” a drawing package.  I wonder what he will think of that? 

Also selected were some books such as:  "Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day", “Instructions”, and “James and the Giant Peach”.  I’ve ordered everything from Amazon and hopefully, they will arrive for James’ birthday.  If they don’t arrive in time, I will be disappointed.  However, it will still be a nice surprise for James, to receive a package in the mail a day or two later.  He doesn’t expect mail so his parents will make a big announcement when the gifts arrive.

I wish I could be there to see his face.  I am sure they will send me pictures and I look forward to seeing them.  More important, I look forward to seeing everyone again in August, which will be a large gathering of family.