Lucky Number 7

Erik's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving this year, which he was happy about. I honestly don't think it made much of a difference because the rest of us still ate Thanksgiving food for dinner on his birthday (leftovers) and he had whatever it is he eats for dinner. I really can't remember what he ate for dinner. It might have been noodles or bread with carrots, but really, all the white carbs are the same, so it doesn't matter what he actually ate. He did have a memorable day, though.

He started out with a pop tart for breakfast, with his warm white milk, per his request. We all went to see The Grinch  at the movie theater, on my mom. The kids had all decided they wanted to buy themselves drinks there, so they did, but I treated Erik for his birthday. We brought our own popcorn and candy. It was a great way to kick of the holiday season and enjoy something fun for his birthday. On the way home, we stopped by Jimmy John's  to pick up some day old bread, as I usually do when I'm in that area. Since the day before was Thanksgiving, they didn't have any day old, so they gave me fresh for the price of the day old! Jimmy John's bread has become a favorite of our family's lately. So, that's what we had for lunch- turkey sandwiches on JJ bread. Yum! We had planned on stopping by McDonald's for fries for the special day, so we did that as well and some of the kids ate those, but it was funny that Erik didn't finish his. He mostly ate the bread.

Something that our kids don't usually get to do on their birthdays is service. Due to rainy Saturdays, the yard of a widow in our ward needed to be done that day, so we went there after lunch and raked her leaves and cleaned up her yard. It was great to serve her and fun for the kids to be outside on a day that was less freezing and sunny.

Presents and cake (I was surprised he didn't ask about opening presents earlier in the day) happened pretty quickly so we could put the Nebraska game on. Erik happens to love Nebraska, so it was a nice end to his special day.

He loves playing using the cat tree as a place for his toys.

Austin and Grandpa Jim made this marble game and Erik just loves it!

Erik's biggest hobby right now is reading. He reads all afternoon and evening, just about, while I'm taking various children different places. It seems one of my girls is home each time I need to leave so I can leave him at home. Besides reading, he loves to play games, especially tag. He plays with his toys by himself or with Austin, here and there. Mostly imaginative games using his cars, animals, shop kins, or other character toys. I love seeing his growth in school. I volunteer once a week in his class and he's one of the "helpers" at the table he sits at. Others kids can ask him questions if they need help. It makes me proud!

He mostly reads graphic novels,  but he'll read anything he can get his hands on! He's great at reading the scriptures with us too!

We had his party a few weeks ago. I decided that earlier was better so it doesn't get in the way of holidays. We splurged this year and had his party at Jungle Java, an indoor play place with lots of slides, bouncy things, climbing, and other monkeying around. It included drinks and a table with balloons for when we had cake and ice cream. It was very fun for the kids, especially since my own kids have been wanting to go back there, even though it's for a younger crowd. Sure enough, the girls did get tired of it after a while and I thought it was way too loud. We were in between two other party tables, so there was a lot going on, but the kids played hard and were nice and sweaty!

Carrying his cake in.

Waiting to light the candles.

Logan happened to be in town that weekend- bonus!!

Happy Birthday to my baby!