Halloween 2013

At 4:56pm today my favorite firstborn turns 7.  I still remember the exact time, imprinted in my memory.  That exact moment I became mama, and he was ours.  I loved him before I even met him, but goodness when I laid eyes on his brand-new little self...I found a love that I never new existed.

Today I'm feeling so blessed at our journey so far, as mama and son.  He lets me hear the most amazing giggles, flashes his shy smile, and teaches me amazing things about life.  Daily I learn patience from him, and when I am lacking in patience I learn how amazing it is to be forgiven, by someone so young.  It is so humbling.

He is strong willed, and has an opinion about everything in life.  He wants to be right, always.  He is smart, and sweet, and really just a perfect blend of Paul and I.  I love his feisty spirit, and hope that he continues to learn, when he uses that feisty-ness in the right way, he will continue to be amazing. 

He is growing up: choosing to go to school and hand out goodie bags to his classmates instead of taking the "get out of school free cause it is your birthday and your mama wants to spend the entire day with you" card.  As he gets older, he is becoming less willing to pass out his "Rykles" (Ryker snuggles, a term we coined when he was a toddling little guy).  

Today we will celebrate at home.  Storms (thunder/lightening/ and possible tornados) are predicted around 4pm which is putting a damper on our trick-or-treat plans.  But cake, icecream, and a new birthday DVD (Monsters University) are sure to be a nice 2nd best.  

Happy 7th birthday my sweet boy.

*****

My "Despicable Me" loving kids all decided to be minions for Halloween.  To document the special occasion, as I am sure matching costumes on Halloween will never happen again, we brought the costumes along when we had family pictures done earlier this month.

These pictures were the lone ones where we didn't have to constantly attempt smiles with the bribe of "if you are good for just a bit longer than we will go out to ice cream when we are all done."  Something about the costumes brought out their little personalities.

Happy Halloween, from my little minion loving family.

This photo idea, from my brilliant husband.