Happy 7th Birthday, Yaks!

Dear Yaks,

Happy Seventh Birthday!  It's been a year of change and growth for you, and I'm so proud of you and the person you are working to become.  For starters, you finally lost that last baby tooth in the front, revealing the BEST jack-o-lantern smile I've ever seen!  It has such character and personality - just like you.  

Just try not to smile looking at that face.  :)

A few months after your sixth birthday, we moved from the "White House" to the "Chicken House".  It was a great move for you kids in particular, as we were able to experience having pets for the first time.  You most of all have loved to have animals to care for.  You take great pride in feeding the chickens and the cat, and it's been great to watch you with them.  "Mom, I like having a cat to talk to."

We lost our chicken, "Blue Sailor" last week, and you were sad but very mature about it.  "I'm just glad he's not sick anymore," as you taped a picture of the chickens by your bed.  

The house has a large yard, and the whole summer had you kids outside exploring and creating things, relaxing under the fruit trees, and doing projects with Dad. It's been a great place.  

This school year you made the transition to first grade!  Your teacher Mrs. Mincks is wonderful, and she's really helped you gain confidence in yourself.  She's seen your potential to be a confident leader, and has given you opportunities to display that in the classroom.  It's been wonderful to see that confidence come through in your improvements in reading and writing and making friends! 

Another plus to our move, is that we live right up the street from school, as well as your good friend, Peter!  Play dates and visits are really easy with him living just up the road!  You both love legos and drawing, and you spend hours happily working together.  Peter's mom has mentioned to me several times how grateful she is that you and Peter are friends, since you are so kind and polite and always a good example.  That made me so proud to hear as a mom.  I must say, I think anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend! 

Despite being the only boy in the family, you've been a trooper with your sisters.  You are the "idea man", and you always have interesting plans and love a good time, who can help but want to join in?  I don't know what we would do without the balance you bring to the family!  I know Diddles can be a challenge for you to deal with, and often you wish we could put her on a shelf, but I know you love her, and I am so grateful how kind you are to her (MOST of the time). :)

Trick-or-Treaters 2012

Pals

Keeping Guard.

I can often find you perched on this high counter in our kitchen.  When asked what you are doing up there, you say, "It's the only safe place where I can work on my legos!"

Desperate times calling for desperate measures.

I love your lego creations and your small, detailed drawings, which are now starting to show labels!  You also have creative stories about a super-chicken named "Dark Sailor", who goes around catching bad guys and finding treasure.   

You say the cutest things.  When we visited Seattle this past year and were walking the city streets, you would pick up things that were garbage to the regular passer-by, but you saw beauty in the empty foil cigarette wrapper, or a broken piece of colored glass.  "People are leaving such beautiful treasures!" and "I bet pigs don't like pork, cause they are probably eating their mothers!" When someone anonymously came and plowed our snow-covered driveway this winter, we sat at the window watching, wondering who was operating the plow.  You said, "That was a very nice service.  A Secret Service!"   You will often say very insightful things that are simple yet profound; things that cause me to think and reflect.  A few weeks ago I was busily hurrying around the house picking up and doing some chores before Dad got home.  You were following me around and talking to me, and although I was listening, you finally said, "Mom, do you think you could just stay still?   'Cause I like to be where you are."  I love to be where you are, too.

Obeying Mom's request to wear "handsome clothes" to Thanksgiving dinner.

Here are the answers to your 20 questions this year:

1. What is your favorite color? blue

2. What is your favorite toy? legos

3. What is your favorite fruit? apples

4. What is your favorite tv show? Garfield and Friends

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut Butter Sandwich

6. What is your favorite outfit? shirts and shorts

7. What is your favorite game? Lego Pharohs

8. What is your favorite snack? Cheese and chips

9. What is your favorite animal? cats like Milo

10. What is your favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

11. What is your favorite book? Star Wars Save the Galaxy, Darth Maul’s Mission

12. Who is your best friend? Peter

13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside ? Play Dark Sailor

15. What is your favorite drink? Root Beer
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween, "cause we get lots and lots of candy!"

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Milo

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza and Root Beer

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A person who works in Wal-mart.

We love you, Yaks.  I feel so honored to be your mom.  Happy birthday, my sweetest boy!  

Love, Mom