My boy's birthday!

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but I just do not know where the time goes. I mean, seriously, how could this wonderful little boy already have been in our livese for seven years? And why does it feel so much shorter? He is growing up so quickly. He is sweet and kind and compassionate, beyond his years.

Birthdays are a little harder now he is in school; the mornings are such a rush. James and I figured (the night before) that we should just let him open presents in the afternoon, when he came home from school. Somehow, unfortunately, we forgot to let Arran know this minor detail! He woke up this morning, excited for his birthday. We explained the plan regarding presents and he was disappointed to say the least.

"I don't feel special, I don't feel like it's my birthday"...how horrible did I feel at that moment?

Plan b was quickly put into place; he would get to open one present (which James hurriedly threw into a Hello Kitty!!! gift bag with some tissue paper) and open the rest in the afternoon. He was over the moon to receive a talking Doug, the dog from 'Up".

He went to school with a plate of chocolate chocolate chip cookies to share with his class, that we (the three kids and I) had made yesterday and an 'Olivia' book he had picked out as a gift for the classroom. All was redeemed.

After school he went on a play date. I had been so torn in the week when the play date invitation came. I knew that he would love it, but the selfish Mommy in me wanted to not feel like I had missed out on his special day, especially as the kids have AWANAs on Thursday nights. In the end we decided to go out for a family dinner instead of the kids going to AWANAs and so I let him have his play date too. Oh the dilemma of it all.

The girls and I baked him a delicious chocolate cake while he was out. It actually went pretty smoothly and was fun, compared to the slight fiasco of four of us baking the previous day, with my not feeling my best and being far too impatient. My poor kids. I did a good job of actually taking photos as they greased the pans and added ingredients and somehow have managed to delete them from my memory card, so sad.

Arran came home from his play date happy and excited. His specific request for dinner was for Chinese buffet, followed by dessert of his cake at home. He went to bed a happy little boy and I could not be happier or more grateful to be his mother!

Opening presents in his special birthday crown his teacher made. Bryttain loves to help.

I just love that although he is getting so big, he is still just a little kid who LOVES his soft toys.

Happy Birthday Arran, we love you!