the boy is 7

Levi celebrated his 7th birthday this last weekend.  Can you even imagine?  My little world traveler is getting on in years.  He got to start on Friday by opening presents from both sets of grandparents.  

 Had to take his new scooter out for a ride.  I told them to make "scooter" faces.  Gracie went for it, and Levi was too distracted by her pose to commit to his own.

                              This picture pretty much depicts his thoughts about this new gift.

 Birthday morning started out with him getting up way too early and being told "happy birthday.  go watch a quiet cartoon in your room."  He seemed ok with it.  But after a while we had to all get ourselves up and let him open presents.

                                                        Two goobers full of faces

 Birthday Boy got to have his party that afternoon.  And his big & fancy (papa made) cake got to be revealed.  He requested his cake be superheros at the beach, with a building and some trees.  The trees are hiding behind Thor but they are there.

 This may be my favorite picture from the party.  It's so cute and delicious.  Levi also requested a cookie cake so....Papa delivered.  Nathan is actually working night shifts this month, but he was a seriously committed trooper.  He worked until 5:45am Friday morning then came home and went straight to work in the kitchen. He was in the bedroom by 6am waking me by sticking a spoon of icing in my face to "taste it." He insisted on making everything from scratch; cookie cake, rice crispy treat building, icing.  He even made one batch of Fondant, but we couldn't find one ingredient anywhere so he didn't use it.  He was a very impressive papa and forced himself to switch and match our schedule over the weekend even though he's back to working nights this week.

 Levi had 10 kids (including his sister) at his party.  It rained all around our party hours, but thankfully stopped just long enough to accommodate us.  I was pretty committed to partying outside and not moving it to my small apartment.

                                                              Modeling his balloon tail

 Even though they got pretty wet, there was allot of park play.  One thing to definitely love about base living; parks everywhere!

                            Gracie had the special honor of being the sister of the birthday boy.

                       This is what happens whenever Levi notices I'm taking a picture of him

               Gotta love the group enthusiasm when it's present time.  So much support.

 I love these two photos separated by a split second.  The progression  and suspense of surprise tag.

          Lots of fun with scooters, superhero lairs, presents, cake and just running.

Last night at sunset Levi and I ran outside to do our annual birthday photo shoot.  I basically love each picture so, here they all are.  As I mentioned earlier, Levi acts like a complete dork every time he poses for a picture these days.  But, he's gotta represent right?  I love this first one.

                                             Super Seven!

 I really don't know what to tell ya about why he's pointing.  I was not aboard the train of thought.  But he's a handsome little guy regardless.

                                    Yeah, he's gotten pretty big

  I think he's gonna be a super good looking, super funny, always ready for a good time, kind of adult.  And I really think I'm gonna have lots of fun being his mom on the road to manhood.  Though I'm positive there will be multiple temptations along the way to strangle him.

 It's pretty hard to believe he's going into second grade this fall.  But I can't deny he's growing up.  He's a boy, and he'll always be crazy.  But the signs of maturing with short moments of clarity are starting to come a little closer together.

 I think he'll always be a great friend, an affectionate and encouraging little force of nature.  He picked out a heart necklace to give me for mother's day.  I put it on and he said, "Wow.  It looks even prettier when you're wearing it."  Everyday he's loving and he's always on my team.  Even to the point where I oft-times have to tell him we can't gang up on people.  He's gonna make an amazing man someday.  I already know he's gonna be a very devoted husband, since he's already making plans for his future wife.  He's gonna be goofy and silly, but I think he's got a very calculated and sensitive streak in him.  When I think about Levi I know he's gonna be the kind of guy everyone wants to know and be friends with.

                                 I mean, a boy who loves dog so so much has got to be great!