Seven years old!

My oldest child is SEVEN years old!  When did that happen?!  We've had quite the day to celebrate our Dillon.  It started with balloons all over his bedroom and I let him open one present so he could wear a cool new shark shirt to school.

 As soon as he got on the bus, Wesley and I hopped in the car to head to the school to help with birthday books -- which just happened to be on his actual birthday.  He was so excited when Wesley and I walked into his classroom.  He was completely surprised.  Fun!  And he only had a half day of school, so he was home in time for lunch, which we enjoyed outside since the weather was so beautiful.  Dillon had already started reading the birthday book he'd picked out at school.

 We made a trip to the public library and then hurried home for naps.  Then off to the park for a casual little birthday party.  The kids got to decorate their own cupcakes.  And I'm proud to the say the homemade frosting turned out!

 Birthday Boy!

 We had a hard time with the candle, thanks to a beautiful breeze, so please excuse the overload of ME in this picture. :)

Caleb seemed to enjoy the cupcakes, actually more than he did his own cake on his birthday

 I worried when the ice cream truck pulled into the parking lot.  I always tell the boys, "No treats from the ice cream truck unless it's your birthday."  And here we were, on his birthday, after eating cupcakes, and low and behold, there's the ice cream truck.  So, I caved and let him get something.  All the other kids were really good sports.  The blue Sonic ice cream will help you understand the blue mouth in the rest of the pictures...

 His friends were kind enough to bring a couple gifts.

 And then we headed home for more.

 This boy loves all things sharks!

 Then off to All Aboard Diner for dinner.

 Dillon shared his free dessert because he was "pretty stuffed."  Um, maybe the cupcakes AND ice cream AND pizza AND french fries AND chocolate milk were enough!

 Great Grandma sent some money and we asked Dillon if he wanted to use it to get a Betta fish (we had a coupon he'd been eyeing for weeks).  So we got our first pet EVER. 

 Dillon was delighted to pick out and name Reddie Freddie and bring him to his new home.  He was grinning from ear to ear the whole ride home.  He also informed us that his birthday wish had come true -- he'd wished to get a pet!

So we've had quite the day!  Dillon was in heaven and was actually really really sweet and grateful for everything!

I love Dillon.  It may sound simple, but he continues to be a great sleeper and eater, and I'm realizing more and more what a blessing it is that Dillon has never fought us on those issues.  Dillon is awesome on his bike.  He can go forever, uphill, downhill, fast, slow -- this boy is in control when he bikes.  He is a great reader. He especially likes reading anything about animals.  Dillon LOVES animals, especially ocean animals, his favorite being the blue shark. He can tell you all kinds of crazy facts about different species and habitats.  It's fun to see him get excited about things he loves.

I love this boy's icy blue eyes and when he stops to thank me for simple things.  Happy Birthday to our Dillon!