My oldest boy's birthday is quickly approaching. I'm trying not to think about this much, mostly because I still feel pretty awful and can't fathom getting ready for a party. I remind myself that I've still 2 weeks before I need to be back in the saddle and getting things done. That helps. We don't invite a lot of friends over for birthdays-- last year he asked for Colin and Renee to be his special guests-- but once you add in family (Sinclairs and Daniels), we've got quite a crowd on our hands.

Fortunately, our shopping was finished a while ago. Unfortunately, the gift we chose was on backorder. Even more fortunately, we recently got notice that it has shipped-- just in the nick of time.

We're making the big splurge this birthday and the amount we're spending is justified in part by calling it an "educational expense." Many family members are also contributing to the gift by buying pieces of it to give to him as their gifts.

(For the record, we got it in black, since that is his color of choice when it comes to drums. This was simply the only picture they offered.)

It's a junior set, but pretty sophisticated all the same. The heads are all tunable and the name recognizable, which we're hoping means for a half-way decent sound. The best part is that even if he can't reach the pedals right away, he'll be able to in just a few short years. For those of you who know Gabriel, you know that the dream of his life is to be big enough to reach the pedals on a drumset.

I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens it. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures-- and a video or two of him playing, as well.