New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve...any excuse to stay up late and zap warriors on World of Warcraft or Runescape.
Callum would join in when the boys were younger, but the last couple of years one has been on the Xbox and the other on the computer although both in the same room.
Sometimes, the boys would wander downstairs and we would watch a film together, while they stocked up on food supplies and popcorn which Kieron would make in the microwave for both of them. I would end up sitting in a sea of popcorn crumbs while Kieron spread-eagled himself all over me and the settee.
I've always let the kids stay up to see the New Year in although Kieron would sometimes fall asleep and have to be woken up before then being carried up to bed.
Last year, one of my friends came round with some party poppers. At 11.50, I called the boys downstairs and we all watched the fireworks on the Thames on television and listened to the countdown. Kieron was getting excited and Callum was super-cool and blase,
After the Big Ben stuff my friend and I got Kieron to run out in the street with us, letting off the party poppers. I remember that he only had socks on and I told him it didn't matter. Who needs trainers on the opening minutes of the new year?
Callum watched out of the window as it was all a bit 'embarrassing' for him, but Kieron was laughing at the top of his voice and letting off the party poppers.Some went on the cars parked outside but I decided to worry about that in the morning.
It was difficult, once we went back home to quieten Kieron down. He was amazed that his boring mum could mess about like a kid. He was cute and giggly and loud. He was talking faster than his mouth could keep up, telling Callum what fun it was and that he was a wooss to have watched from a safe vantage point.
Tonight, I'm trying to ignore the early fireworks but I'll stay up and wish my son a happy new year. A new year that I believe he'll see from above the fireworks. A new year that is one year nearer to being with him again.