[mygal=caleb_7]
Today was Caleb’s official birthday. The day he needs to remember the number ‘7’ and not ‘6.’ I’ve found having our kids every other year has been great for remembering their ages – it’s either an even year or an odd year – this is the odd year.
We celebrated Caleb’s birthday on Saturday so he could have the whole day to decide what we could do as a family. He started from as soon as we woke up. We had donuts for breakfast (a BIG rarity in our house!) and then he opened his gifts while we were still in our pajamas. Nothing like having that Christmas morning feeling all over again on your birthday! So, he spent all morning looking over his new books, playing with his new Star Wars action figures, and trying on his new clothes.
[mygal=calebs_birthday_2008]
For his birthday meal he wanted to go to Pizza Hut so we did that for lunch where the kids could use their Book-It Pizza coupons – they couldn’t wait! Then we went ice skating. We were hoping Cami could try this year but her feet are still a little too small for the rental skates. She was really good to just watch through the windows while Chris and I took turns skating with the kids – I should rephrase that – Chris skated, I moved very slowly towards the kids only if I had to help them up from the ice. I may have felt braver to get going a little faster if there just weren’t so many people there!
[mygal=ice_skating_2008]
To finish up our Saturday celebration we had cake and ice cream and surprised Caleb with two more Star Wars action figures. He kept saying, “I wondered why I only got OB1, Yoda, and R2D2 in my present!” I got the idea for his cake from my friend Leslie’s super Star Wars party she did for her son, Tommy. Of course, mine doesn’t compare to hers but Caleb was still excited.
[mygal=star_wars_cake]
So in honor of Caleb’s 7th birthday, here are 7 things about this guy:
1. He is a perfectionist in anything he does as long as it’s his idea. His gymnastics coach tells me all the time how impressed he is with how Caleb is a perfectionist, pushing through the hard things until he can do it well.
2. He looks more like me than the girls and is most like me in personality, which tends to drive me crazy sometimes! It gives me a great chance to see myself from a different angle!
3. He has always been a lovable, tender-hearted boy. Whenever anyone is hurting he always tries to make them laugh. This especially works in his favor if he’s the one who has caused the injury.
4. He loves to do anything his dad is doing. This isn’t limited to much of anything – they relish in being the only ones who will eat from the shrimp tray on holidays!
5. He loves ‘grown-up foods’ – we discovered early on that the kids menu doesn’t always appeal to him. If there is a salad bar, that will be his first pick. He loves those healthy foods!!
6. He loves to read. I used to be worried that he wouldn’t learn to read when I thought he should but then he took off and hasn’t looked back. He’s enjoying Hardy Boys now!
7. He doesn’t like to be left alone. He’s not the most social person but he cannot stand to be by himself. Hannah is his default side-kick and where one is, there you will find the other. Hannah has helped him overcome his fear of going into the big gym full of kids for gymnastics. They all warm-up together and then split off into classes. If Hannah can get him in there, he’s fine, otherwise, he’ll have an anxiety attack trying to get enough courage to go in (yes, one of those great characteristics he got from me).
Happy birthday, Caleb! We love you!
[mygal=caleb_bikehelmet]
What a fun birthday!!! The Star Wars phase is such a blast, Gavin & Mason are so into it too. They’ll be telling me about things and I have just started nodding and saying WOW!!!! I just don’t get it, I guess!! I wish we lived closer for Light Saber fights!!!! Enjoy this stage. We love you and miss you, tell Caleb Happy Birthday for us.
Taylor and Chris both want that cake for their birthdays! The funniest part of Taylor loving Star Wars is that his favorite character is Darth Vader. Hopefully it’s just the cool costume. Happy Birthday Caleb! One more year til you get baptized!
Happy Birthday Caleb! Sounds like he had a wonderful day. Ethan loves Star Wars too and can name pretty much all the characters. If he sometimes forgets he asks me and all I can say is “go ask your father.” Very cute cake! I just might have to steal your idea for Ethan’s birthday. Loved all the tidbits on Caleb.
Happy Birthday! What a fun day! I always remember feeling so special all day on my birthday and try to make it that way for my kids, too. It only comes once a year after all! I’m sure this was a day for Caleb to always remember!
Happy Birthday Caleb! The Star Wars cake is so cute! Looks like it was a fabulous birthday.
how did you get luke and darth to stand up so well on the cake?? our figures were knee deep in the cake before they stood upright……. good job!! can’t believe how much older caleb looks. he is a handsome boy!