Sitting in Nonna’s kitchen one day, I realized with surprise that although she loved all of us, her first grandchild, Paul, had a special place in her heart.
\nWe were grown up by then, and when Paul dropped by unexpectedly during a workday, she rushed to her stove to cook up one of her much-coveted savory meals because “Paul needs to have lunch”.<\/p>
\nI have 3 grandkids and love them all, but Bob also has a special place in this Grandma’s heart as well because he’s the eldest.
\nThe first thing you notice about him is his striking, androgynous good looks that cause little girls to flock around him.
\nOnce you start talking with him, you then appreciate his intellect and sardonic sense of humor.
\nHe loves animals, especially his cat, Max. He is addicted to computer games. He hasn’t yet found his sport, although he professes to like ice skating. He loves miniature golf and prides himself, justly so, on his knowledge of cars and science. He’s a very good conversationalist and a good writer, although his handwriting is awful.
\nHis favorite books over here are from the Discoveries Library, “Volcanoes & Earthquakes” and “Dangerous Animals”.
\nFollowing the informal tradition of at least 3 generations, he hates school and authority figures generally.
\nWhen I first saw Bob on the day he was born, he was screaming and furious. He had a number of health issues from day one, not life-threatening, but it made him a challenging baby.
\nAs a young child, he was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD, and he’s been under treatment for a couple of years now. His response to meds require regular monitoring, and his cleverness in trying to avoid the rules of the house also require fairly constant vigilance.
\nHe can be charming and he can be infuriating. He can be extremely kind and he can be incredibly self-centered. He is stubborn and strong-willed.
\nHe adores his younger brother and hates his “middle” sister, who he tortures incessantly. Still, when they play, he’s the acknowledged leader.
\nBob is 10 today, a milestone: he’s accomplished the feat of reaching one decade, his first of what I hope are many 2-digit birthdays in the years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sitting in Nonna’s kitchen one day, I realized with surprise that although she loved all of us, her first grandchild, Paul, had a special place in her heart. We were grown up by then, and when Paul dropped by unexpectedly … Continue reading