Could seven look any cuter than this? I say, no. No it can not.
On the eve of his seventh birthday we tucked him in and then I laid next to him in bed. He whispered to me, "Mom, what do you think my birthday will be like?" and we dreamed up images of his perfect idea of a day.
This precious boy woke up before sunrise on February 1st. I heard his feet run down the stairs to meet me in the dark kitchen where I was getting my first cup of coffee. The first things he saw were the balloons that his Grammie had snuck out to buy after bed time the night before. He immediately jumped up and down saying, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He ran into Grammie's room to give her a great, big hug. He is so excited about the simplest things and I love that about him.
The rest of his morning consisted of the breakfast of his choice, french toast, and a car ride heart to heart with his momma. I am just so thankful for this boy of ours and all of the joy he brings to his family.
His school day was great. I actually got to sub for his class for about an hour which was fun. His Dad picked him up from school and I tried to hurry home soon after for our little family celebration. Oma, Grampie, and Oma Oma came to join us for dinner and dessert. Donovan requested steak and corn on the cob... and the grandparents did not disappoint.
Grammie had done so much all day to prepare, including making him his requested cherry flavored cupcakes and decorating the house, of course.
Dinner was perfect.
Then, it was time for the gifts. Donovan was so excited to get his first digital camera from his Grampie. His toothless grin says it all!
He was equally excited about his first set of golf clubs, his baseball bag, some new athletic wear, and a few other little surprises.
Even Emmerson got a surprise. The kiddos were so excited to each get a tennis racket. We put them to the test tonight after work and they loved it.
Thank you Oma Oma for my homemade chocolate suckers!
Cherry cupcake time!
He wasn't the only one that loved the cupcakes.
Oh my Donovan James. I sure miss the days of my sweet babbling, toddler boy. The one that made me a momma and needed me to do so many things for him. I miss your long blonde bowl cut hair and your infatuation with choo choo trains.
If it weren't for the fact that you become cooler and cooler to hang out with each year, I would be seriously bummed out. But gosh, kid. You are just the best!
I love that you're my little side kick that I ride with to work each day. You LOVE to learn, you love your friends, you love your teacher. You make each busy morning a piece of cake as you tackle so many responsibilities around the house without ever being asked.
You light up the lives of everyone that knows you. Every teacher at school tells me stories about how sweet you are. You have us all wrapped around your finger. Your teacher at church pulls me aside to tell me that you're her favorite, too. The only one in class that confidently memorizes his Bible verses and asks for his homework on his way out the door each week.
You love your Grammie. You can play games with her forever and love listening to her read aloud to you. You love your Oma and Grampie. You always ask to call them for a chat on the phone. You share lots of interests with your Grampie these days whether it be photography or sports stats.
You love to write and thought you might like to be a children's author... but that's only if your Major League Baseball career doesn't turn out as you'd planned.
My son, I could go on and on. I love the little boy that you are. As much as I wish to freeze time and keep you seven forever I am equally excited to see how amazing you'll be at eight and nine and every year after.
Happiest Birthday to my very favorite seven year old in the whole wide world. I love you, Monkey.
