Benjamin's 7th Birthday

 Benny the Birthday Boy!!

 We don't usually have parties for birthdays, but on the kids birthday they get "say" on all meals and typically they can choose the activities of the day (within reason, of course).

I'm always amazed how easy they are to please.  Ben wanted donuts for breakfast (I think it may have been because Dad happened to bring a few home that a patient had given him the day before).  Then he wanted to open presents.  We let him open a couple first thing, but told him he needed to save a couple for when Dad came home.

 Lauren gave him a Lego Star Wars shirt. If you think it looks like he has a black eye you are right.  Somehow he tripped going up the stairs a week ago and managed to hit his eye on the railing.

 Kate gave him some plastic army men toys and a "punching" pen (ala Dollar Store).

After that we decided to visit the zoo.  This wasn't really Ben's first choice or maybe even his second, but his birthday happened to fall on the week of Spring Break so we had a whole week of activities planned and he was willing to accept that and agreed to the zoo knowing that Pump It Up and Laser Tag were in the works.

 After a long day of waiting we went to Pizza Hut for dinner - thank you Book It reading program.

 And Ben opened his last couple of presents.  You would think that a boy with a HUGE bucket of Legos would be satisfied, but Ben LOVES Lego Star Wars and had his heart set on more Star Wars guys.  I've decided the only way to keep myself sane is to glue the little ships together so he can play with them and we don't lose any pieces or have to rebuild them. Because really digging through an enormous pile of Legos trying to find the tiny pieces is just too much.

 Rather than have a cake, Ben wanted homemade cinnamon rolls for his birthday. 

Ben is such a joy to have in our family!  He has such a fun and loving personality.  He is quick to smile, quick to laugh, and (of course) quick to tease.  He is also quick to serve, quick to love, and quick to forgive.  I love his curiosity and interest in everything.  It brings a sense of wonder to my life as I watch him learn and discover new things. We Love Our Benjamin!