Kids get older. That is a fact of life. But it still surprises me every year. Soren is nine now. I remember the day he was born: how I pushed for three hours with no idea how to get him out; how Scott got back from a final exam to see me deliver the placenta; how cute our little stranger was after he'd been cleaned up and dressed in a Christmas stocking; how alert he was, with no intention of closing his dark eyes and missing anything. Now he's a pre-teen. Whoa. Here's what we did to celebrate: 1. I got up very early in the morning to buy foods he liked, then I wrapped them up like presents. For breakfast, he unwrapped a box of fruit and cream instant oatmeal! (It was Monday and we usually have oatmeal on Monday--usually the plain kind that you make on the stove.) All the kids were excited about birthday oatmeal. 2. Grandma and Grandpa sent him a guitar. I told Soren that when he was nine, I would support him in developing ...