How can he be SEVEN already?

This one seems crazy to me - John Paul is SEVEN?!?  Seriously?

But he is.  And he is so very good at being seven too :)

My New Year's boy woke up for his first day in 2018 ready to party.  Thanks to a last minute shopping trip the siblings had gifts wrapped and ready and we opened them at breakfast!

He and the big sisters went to run a few errands with Grandmama (including the choosing and purchase of a birthday cake mix, which is always a significant occasion) and then it was off to his birthday date lunch with Matt.

Then back home to mix up his birthday cake!  We definitely have a tie-dye theme going on this year and John Paul is a "be a part of the pack" kind of guy.  I love cooking with my kids and even though the break from tons of food prep was nice this fall (when they were at school two meals a day) I am so looking forward to more kitchen time with my people when we return to Asia.... actually, I'm looking forward to more time with them in general, kitchen time will be a bonus!

Gifts waiting to be opened by my 7 year old boy!

A tool set, wood construction kit, and snap circuits.  He is a a lover of hands-on, exploratory play and his mind is quick - we did choose to store the hammer in the garage where he's less likely to wreak havoc because while he is growing up, he's tendency to explore i.e. inadvertently destroy is still strong!

Dinner (his choice - pasta bake) and cake :)

and we celebrate one more year of the miracle-gift of this son!