Happy 9th birthday Camden Godfrey

Joe Godfrey
17 min readJun 10, 2022

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Another year, another birthday. 9 years. 3,287 days and counting. And with each new day, a new adventure. I’m not sure how you manage to cram so much into so little time, but here’s a not-so-brief summary of the past 365.

Another day at the ballpark:

Just one week after your 8th birthday, I took you and you siblings to a Giants game. By the 3rd inning you’d already convinced an outfielder to throw you a ball, and soon after your dance moves landed you on the jumbotron.

Charmed life continues

Throw in a giant lemonade and a hotdog, and I’d say that’s a pretty great way to start your 9th year.

San Diego:

In July, we took a trip to San Diego. Of course this included a Padres game, and of course that meant another ball for you. Colton swears the ball was intended for him (and Alex concurs), but I suppose if you have the glove skills to snag it, you deserve it. We then hit up Legoland, and while Gaby (of course) scored the highest on the Ninjago ride, you did beat Colt, which thoroughly frustrated him and in turn brought you great satisfaction. Ah brothers…

No shame in finishing second to Gaby

We concluded our trip with a visit to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. Your excitement turned quickly to disappointment once we realized that they no longer had giant pandas. But, while everyone else was completely worn out and ready to leave after a couple hours, you and I continued to the reptile area. Your primary motivation was to see the Komodo dragon (which…meh), but we ended up stopping at every reptile display to try and spot the (often very well hidden) snake or lizard or frog. We excited over an hour later to an irritated Colton and Clara, which was presumably a nice little ancillary benefit for you.

Place your bets!

In September, we went to Golden Gate Fields. I gave each of you $5 to bet per race. Because if there’s a surefire way to teach your kids about the perils of gambling, it’s giving them free money to place no-risk bets.

In the first race, you picked Coastarando, a 9/2 semi-favorite that ended up posting at 8–1. Coasty was lagging early, but made a late charge to take the win by a 1/4 length. $40 profit — not a bad start!

Free money!

For your encore in the 2nd, you picked Creative Romance, which is the worst name for a horse except for every other horse in that race (“She’s So Pretty”? “My Blue Bell”? Really??). CR held off a late charge to win, but closed at even money so “only” a $5 profit. But still…that’s 2-for-2!

By the third race, your status as a master horse picker was well established, and Colt and Clara planned to simply copy whoever you picked. So of course you kept your bet secret. You backed Isla Rose (the favorite), but that horse scratched after refusing to enter the gate. You quickly audible to Mickey Dobbs (which, as an aside, is a great name for a horse) who was sitting at 13–1, but dropped all the way to 5–1 by the start (all the odds tightened with Isla out). No surprise, ol’ Mr. Dobbs won by half a length to lock in another $25 for you and keep your perfect streak intact.

Start’em young

All told - 3 for 3 with a smooth $70 profit. Nice to know you have another option if school and/or pro football don’t pan out.

Basketball

The best part of Next Level Basketball has been getting to play with (and against) your buddies. The worst part has been pretty much everything else. In the second game of the season, you scored 1/3 of our total points, including a halftime buzzer-beater that cut the lead to single digits. Sadly, we lost 20–6.

swan song

The next week you again scored 2 of our 6 points in another lopsided loss. We did get a win or two, but things never really clicked. I think your days on the hardwood may be numbered.

A more fun basketball memory was when Colt convinced you to play 1-on-1 in the driveway. He offered you 10 points for each basket, and you promptly went up 10–1. I’m not sure exactly what happened after that, but smart money says that Colt scored a few more points before you elected to end the game and declared victory.

The ten pointer is up…and it’s good!

Way to go out on top!!

Colton:

You and your brother have a very unique relationship. It’s effectively impossible for you to be in the same room together without wrestling and crawling all over each other. I’ll place you at the extreme ends of the sofa, only to have this gravitational force pull you together until you’re literally on top of each other. It then leads to playful giggles and touches, and inevitably ends with punches, slaps, bodyslams, and screams. Boys will be boys I guess, but man o man does it drive this old boy crazy!

It’s all fun and games…until it’s not

But as much as you get on each others’ nerves, you need him and he needs you. When Colt caught covid and had to isolate, you clearly missed him. I mean, you were mostly jealous that he got to hang out and play video games all day (“I want to get covid!” you called through the door). But you also experienced the boredom of not having you partner in crime to conspire with. Well he’s back now, so be careful what you wish for.

Clara:

Colt is your primary wingman, but you and Clara have your moments as well. You’ll occasionally read to her (which Mom really loves), and you two love to build forts using whatever you can find (which Mom really doesn’t love). When Mom and I took a weekend away (thanks Gaby!!), we came back to find the majestic “Fort Foot” had taken over the guest room, and apparently kept you and Clara occupied for hours upon hours.

It’s just more fun when Gaby is in charge

It should be noted that while you don’t always love having Clara nearby, you hate to sleep alone. So when Colt was isolating, having Clara in the room saved you (and Mom) a lot of sleepless nights. And if you reading to Clara is Mom’s favorite, and you snuggling up with Clara is my favorite, you teaching her how to cross her eyes is no one’s favorite.

The student has become the master

Being a middle kid has it’s downsides, but it also gives you a unique opportunity to be both the younger and older brother. Take advantage.

More family stuff:

While we’re on the topic of family, I got a real kick out of the “My Family!” project you did at school. It’s a little hard to read, so I’ll transcribe:

The people in my family are…
Well they can be mad and scary but most of the time there (sic) nice except Colton (so…it’s ok to be mad and scary if you’re also nice?)

My family is special because…
They are unique from others (aka, the definition of special)

Family Awards:
- Funniest: Baby Yoda (offended)
- Kindest: Baby Yoda (ok…)
- Oldest: Joe (ouch!)
- Youngest: Bandito (???)

Real actual family stuff:

We finally got to visit Mom’s family after 2+ years apart. In August we spent a long weekend in Virginia visiting Ama and Agong who were thrilled to see you after such a long time. And then in November we headed back for Thanksgiving and added all your cousins into the mix, along with Uncle Jerry, Auntie Elizabeth, and Uncle Shane (Auntie Jennifer was badly missed!)

Far too long apart

While there, we took in the sights of the DC area. I’m not sure you fully appreciated the the grandeur and history of the Washington and Lincoln memorials, or the old(ish) world charm of Georgetown.

But even you had to get excited to visit arguably the greatest stadium in pro sports. The stadium after which you were named! THE Camden Yards!!! Or at least to get a chance at getting another ball. The stadium was mostly empty, and once again you had a ball by about the 3rd inning, along with a signature on your latest way-too-expensive baseball hat that looks amazing but will be worn about three times before disappearing into a random drawer, never to be seen again until you’ve outgrown it.

The free Orioles sunglasses are a nice touch

Fall baseball:

Lest you think that all we do is watch baseball, you do play as well. In the fall you got your first taste of kid pitching. Actually, it was more than a taste as you jumped straight from all coach pitch to all kid pitch. You even pitched some yourself, and got frustrated that the umpire wasn’t calling enough strikes. Get used to it kid.

Your team was mostly younger kids like you, and it was a rough season without many (any?) wins. My favorite moment was when you agreed to player-pool for another team. You changed your mind and tried to back out at the last minute, but we made you play. The game ended when Milo (another pool player from our team) caught a fly ball and whipped it to you at 3rd to complete the double-play!

Big stick!

Spring Baseball:

In the spring, we had a bit more success. You pitched a couple times, and threw enough strikes to make the other team earn their runs. You also did a little bit of catching and by the end of the season looked right at home behind the plate. On passed balls you’d rip off you catcher’s mask — maybe to make it easier to find the ball, or maybe just to show off your amazing hair as your head whipped back? Pretty sure it was the latter.

I started playing you at first base because your glove was one of the most reliable on the team. And your favorite defensive play of the year was handling a hard-hit grounder from Donovan and tagging first for the out. The great plays are always sweeter against your friends.

Proud papa

You batted over .600 (3rd on the team) and just barely missed out on being an all-star (you can blame me). I am so proud of the way you played — high effort, making the right decisions, composing yourself regardless of the outcome, and being a good teammate and a good sport. That’s what little league is about and you embody it all.

Lake Tahoe:

We went to Tahoe over New Years. And to make it even better — we shacked up with the Loews! The trip got off to a rough start as it took us 14 hours to make the drive, pulling into our house just after midnight. You were great the whole way — never really complaining, even when the only bathroom break was along the side of the road during a blizzard.

Besides the abundance of treats and screen time that come with a trip to Tahoe, you also had the chance to try skiing for the first time. Actually, you technically took a ski lesson a few years ago, but they kicked you out after about 45 minutes due to you being completely miserable. Hopefully this will go better.

Mom and Clara were beginners too, so you started with them on the green run. But pretty soon you were bored and came on a blue with Colt and me. After a warm up, your goal was to catch Alex, and so you got off the chair and off you went — zig-zagging with Colt down a slope that suddenly didn’t seem so steep.

Add another sport to the list

I’m not the only one who was impressed, as Colt exclaimed “wow Cam, you’re a natural!” After that comment you stopped turning and would just bomb down the blue in full pizza mode, beating Colt and me to the base. You also were OK to hang out in the lodge solo while others were still skiing, something I think few 8-yr olds would willingly agree to. You’re just growing up so fast!

Flag Football:

Flag football has always been your favorite sport, even if our record hasn’t been the best. After a last place finish in 2021, a handful of kids finally had enough and dropped from the team. I decided to step back from coaching and focus being the GM. I targeted kids who are athletic, love sports, have a good attitude, and (maybe most importantly) have parents we’d want to hang out with for 2 hours every Sunday.

So while we were bummed to lose some great friends, we added four solid kids (and families) to the squad. The first game with our overhauled roster got off to a great start as Avir intercepted the first pass of the game. We scored on the ensuing drive and never looked back. You caught a TD pass, and early in the 2nd half the scoreboard went down. My best guess is that you won 66–0, and the next week was pretty similar.

I missed week three when we somehow lost 25–22, but every game after that was a rout. You even got to play some quarterback, and execute some run-pass options from the RB spot. And as usual, your defense was on point as you flew around the field, diving when necessary (and sometimes when it wasn’t) to make the stop.

Throwing and catching — a dual threat!

Neither playoff game was close as you went on to handily win your first Next Level championship! You’ve been eying Colt’s NL trophies for years, and now you finally have one of your own. The fact that Colt’s team lost their championship game later that day probably made your victory feel that much sweeter.

Victory at last!

Speaking of trophies…I’m still waiting for my “GM of the Year” award. Just sayin’

Friends:

Probably the ‘friend highlight’ of your year was finding out that you’d be in the same classroom as Alex. Because after being on the same team for fall baseball, basketball, flag football, and spring baseball (plus doing Singapore Math), you guys definitely need to spend even more time together!

And even off the field you stay just as active and connected to your buddies. Whether it’s hanging out at Trinta after a game, tackling a way-too-aggressive ice cream cone at the county fair, or calling together a meeting of the Banana Army (or whatever you call it), you and your friends always seem to have something going on.

The best friends a guy could ask for

I feel incredibly fortunate that we have so many great families in our neighborhood, on the field, and in the classroom. Hopefully you feel it too.

Sleeping:

You’re infamous for being able to sleep anytime, anywhere. Anywhere, apparently, except on a pillow. Most nights I come in to turn off the lights or wake you in the morning, your head is below the pillow, rammed up against it, or you’ve moved so far to the side that the pillow is out of play.

pillows are overrated

But as little as you seem to want or need a pillow, you never want to sleep without Blizzard, your arctic fox. Some of the bigger fights you’ve had with Colt and Clara have been over stuffies, and none matters more to you than Blizzard. As long as it gets you to sleep without incident, that’s cool with me.

Reading:

When you’re not playing sports or sleeping, you’re always on your iPad. And by “always” I mean during the very short and limited opportunities we give you. The rest of the time, smart money says you’re reading a book.

Best seat in the house

We spend a lot of time at Trinta. Maybe too much. You’ll get after it with the other kids, playing pickle or whiffle or whatever random game is going on. But pretty quickly you get bored, and will just grab a book. Needless to say, you’re the only kid I’ve ever seen read a book at Trinta.

Of course, you may also be the only kid whose parents had to impose a ‘one book per day’ reading limit. Seriously. And while I wish you’d expand your reading beyond cat fantasy adventures (and dragon fantasy adventures, and wolf fantasy adventures), there are certainly worse vices you could have.

General Randomness:

As always, there are a few things that don’t fit neatly into their own category. In no particular order:

  • Your 2nd toe is freakishly long. Like you’re making an obscene gesture
  • Your amazing hair is already well documented. But I had to get this mohawk picture in here
  • You can summon goofiness on demand — especially for the camera
Always making me laugh

Needless to say, you are a uniquely unique kid. And that’s a very good thing.

Gibberish

You are not just a master of the goofy look. Speaking random sounds is sort of a calling card for you, designed (presumably) to fluster the easily annoyed among us — namely, me. Lately I rediscovered this jar of messages you kids gave me for my birthday. The first two I pulled out were from you, and taken together they perfectly sum up who you are. Goofy and loving, all in one.

Well said son

The first one sort of makes my point. The second one made my day.

Swimming:

I think you technically learned how to swim before your 8th birthday, but if someone had thrown you in the pool, I’d have given even odds at best that you’d make it out alive. Once we joined the club, it was game on. I think you mostly like to go for the burgers and funnel fries, and the lemonade of course. But you do spend a lot of time in the pool, swimming and diving with reckless abandon!

We even signed you up for “swim team” a couple weeks ago. Your first session they were doing time trials for each stroke. You’d never done anything except front crawl, but figured out the backstroke pretty quickly. You even took a crack at the butterfly. Pretty impressive for a first time!

Butterfly or the worm? Definitely some type of critter

Mom:

You like to cuddle with Mom, certainly a lot more than with me. And while you definitely drive each other a little crazy, when you need comfort you instinctively go to her. Recently when you had trouble sleeping you came into our room you immediately headed straight for Mom, even though my side of the bed is closer to the door.

You’re very sweet, especially when you think no one is looking

I think you probably find more comfort in the cardboard cutout of Mom than you do in me. And you definitely find more comfort in Blizzard. And several of your other stuffies. And books. I’m actually slipping pretty far down the list…

Not as good as the real thing. But still better than Dad

Dad:

Since we’re talking about me, this will be a good place to end it. It’s already established that I’m not your first (or second, or fifth) choice for cuddling, but you have started letting me hug you at bedtime. Last night you even requested a hug, ensuring (in your words) that I’d get your last hug as an 8-year old. So sweet!

That said, you do often continue reading your book during our hug. And while you still like to hold my hand on the walk to school, only until we get into view. Hey, I’ll take what I can get.

What you lack in wanting to cuddle, you make up for in your clear idolization of me. I mean, as much as you swore you hated my mustache, you still took the time to grow and show off this fantastic replica of my deceased (but never forgotten) glorious lip foliage.

Like father like son

What? How dare you suggest that I wrote this merely as an excuse to include photographic evidence of my manliness one last time! This post isn’t about me, it’s about you. Mostly. But I did help create you (more about that when you’re older), so it’s ok for it to be a little bit about me. Right?

OK, back to you. You’re smart, clever, witty, and have an incredible knack for making exactly the right facial expression for any situation. You’re a good brother and even a better son. Halfway to adulthood and have already done so much. I can’t wait to see what the next 9 years will bring.

Happy birthday son, I love you.

At least the hat got worn one more time

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Joe Godfrey
Joe Godfrey

Written by Joe Godfrey

Husband, father, runner, entrepreneur, and occasional triathlete, who also likes to write when I find the time

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