Chase turns 7

Chase turned seven! Seven felt so old to me, but really Chase is mature beyond his years in many ways and in those ways, seven seems young! It's always a challenge for us to figure out how to best celebrate his birthday, with it coming right after Christmas (and so many toys and clothes and new things) and being in the deep of winter (making outdoor activities impossible), but I think this year we found just the right way to celebrate our amazing kid (and not drive mom crazy at the same time!).

I told him no friend party this year, but that we'd make his day special in a different way. He got his favorite breakfast "opimeal waffles" and we opened presents from just us. We gave him Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (illustrated version) and we've been reading it together. He's hooked! Such a fun present for both of us! In morning carpool both Jaz and Luca had brought simple little presents for him!

I checked him out of school at lunch and we went to Old Grist Mill just the two of us. It was a highlight of the day for me! He'll still hold my hand, he was so excited about everything (ordering a sandwich just the way you want! Mint brownies! Pink lemonade!) and it was so fun to have time with just him!

After school (and a playdate with his buddies) we had his favorite dinner (tacos) and then went to Sky trampoline park. The boys had a great time jumping and going crazy. Chase was super proud that he climbed to the top of the rock wall and got to ring the bell (it took him three tries to do it, but he kept trying). We went to Cold Stone for ice cream afterwards and on the way home Chase declared it the "best birthday ever!"

On the Sunday following his birthday we did cake and ice cream and a mini family party at my parents house. He ordered a funfetti cake, which I happily obliged.

We love this kid so much! Chase has been such a pleasure in our family since day one. He was the cutest, friendliest baby and he's turned into the cutest, friendliest seven year old! He's such a good big brother to Hudson and Davis. He works so hard in school even though most of it comes easily to him; he keeps pushing himself to do better and learn more.  Here's a few more things about seven year old Chase:

• He loves absolutely everything about school, but especially loves art, PE, computers and music. And he loves having all his little friends in his class.
• He loves riding his bike and even though it's winter, still rides to friends houses all the time.
• He loves to read and is obsessed with Box Car Children books. He's probably read 30 of them already and keeps checking them out of the library every time we go.
• Loves to eat veggies these days and get genuinely excited when I pack bell peppers or cucumbers in his lunch. He also goes nuts for steamed broccoli. I don't get it, but I'll take it!
• He is the most social child and he loves to play with friends every chance he gets. His closest little buddies in our neighborhood are Luca, Jazmyn, Quinn, Ella and Adam (all but Adam are also in his class at school! He got so lucky this year!).
• He loves to help around the house, especially with cooking or helping Ben on any home repair project. He vacuums and dusts now. He loves to help crack eggs and open cans and anything else I'll let him do in the kitchen. He takes the garbages out for me every day and is doing so well with making his bed and keeping his room clean.
• He loves church and learning there. He really wants to be a good kid and tries so hard to do the right thing.