Jan and DJ, it must be an age thing because I can relate so much to what you both have said!
Jan, I don't know when it started that every little milestone had to be made such a big deal about. I'm so grateful that my family is not like that. We love to get together, but do it when it's right for everyone, not on a certain day (birthday, Christmas, etc.) and rarely indulge in extravagant gifts. Last year we had "Christmas" with my DH's kids and SO's in the middle of January. They make homemade gifts for each other and we had an awesome time. It was wonderfully relaxing.
DJ, I totally relate about the labels put on kids. I was so frustrated during my last years of teaching because of that. The "powers that be" preach the inclusive doctrine and then set a curriculum that leaves no room for individual differences. If kids don't fit in the little box, then label them as exceptional (learning disabled, ADHD, autism spectrum, etc.,etc.). I totally agree that if there is a disability, then accommodate for it, but the kid has to figure it out. In fact, my daughter has a pretty severe learning disability and although it took her awhile to figure out how to "do school" she's been very successful. She's going to be 30 in a few days and I'm so proud of her accomplishments, but guess what? I knew she was bright,and I had the background (a lot of training in special education) to refuse to give up on her and to keep telling her that she could do whatever she wanted, she just had to find a way to do it.
Hallelujah, she did.
I've ranted enough...lol. Enjoy the weekend. It's humid here, too but supposed to break tonight. I'm out on the patio and the wind is starting to come up. There may be spectacular thunder storms tonight.