Eight years ago today, our family received a very special gift: our son Patrick Vincent. I remember his birth like it was yesterday, as well as the next twelve months that followed. Four major operations before he turned 1; it does not happen to every baby.

He has always been a chubby child. See those biceps?


I have a permanent LiveJournal account where I posted about Patrick being a World Record Holder and where I posted this Sestina I wrote when he was away with my parents in Manila. *shudders*

So yes, he turns 8 today. He was so excited about it and was planning how we were going to bring kiddie meals to school for his class and what we were going to do at the weekend.

Tonight we had a simple meal with the family, including my sister and her family and cousin Jade. My brother was travelling from Abu Dhabi so he couldn’t join us. We had cake. We had to have cake.

He cut that cake like a pro. I haven’t had a piece yet, trying to finish up this post before the day is over. We’re off to the park for barbecue this weekend, before it gets too hot in Dubai. So more photos then, okay?

Happy birthday, Pat-pat! I love you very much.