This morning I heard the unpleasant news that SS12 (almost 13) wants a Sony Play Station Portable for his birthday. It’s not that I’m upset with him, but I don’t like these games consols - I find it disheartening that a group of people can sit around looking at these little gadgets and not talk to each other. I watched a group of kids in Pizza Hut tonight and they hardly talked - too busy playing PSP Soccer against each other. The silence was kinda eerie.

I then heard how SS12 was going to get his PSP. He has spent the last two years saving a portion of his pocket money ($2 per school day, which covers lunch and bus fare), and had amassed the total of $241. He had asked his Godmother for a contribution to his savings goal ($310) for his birthday instead of a present. This was how all this came to our attention.

DH and he went to check it out today, and SS12 was so excited that he admitted to having butterflies in his stomach. All the right questions were asked and he will get his PSP in time for his birthday.

What I am very, very proud of is the perseverance of my stepson. He is a charming and sincere young man at the best of times, and while I wish he would study more, I cannot say enough about how proud I am of him and his efforts in achieving his goals.