Eight is Great!

Today, we have an eight year old in our house!  We had a great week celebrating our wonderful boy with family and friends.

Monday, we had "brinner" at our house (breakfast for dinner) with Papa Kerry and Gma Ruth.  Luke also got to open his gift from us: new golf clubs!

Checking out some golfing gear with Papa

Indoor putting practice

Precious boy and his grands

Golf in the house

Ready for spring!

Wednesday, Luke had his annual dinner out and shopping night with Bridget & Ross.  They had dinner at Mr Pizza North and bought a new video game.

Friday, Luke brought birthday treats to share with his class.  Snicker doodle cookies, his favorite!

Saturday, we had Luke's birthday party at Canvas and Chardonnay.  They have family friendly events a few weekends a month and Luke wanted to invite his friends to paint the rocket canvas.  All of the friends he invited were buddies from his old daycare.  They are a very special group of kids:)

Excited to get started!

Carson, Luke, and Kya

Aiden, Logan, Zoe, and Jon

Finished rocket paintings!

Today, his actual birthday, we had a quiet Sunday at home until we went bowling with Papa & Gma Beckmann, Bridget, and Ross, and had dinner and ice cream.

Sunday morning cartoons:)

Learning to snow blow

Ain't they cute;)

Nora attempting to take her shoes off for bowling

Chatting with Gma, these two adore each other:)

It was a fun-filled week celebrating our sweet boy and he deserved every minute of attention and celebration.

Now it's time for a momma to get sentimental...

Eight years ago, we welcomed a quiet, sleepy, bald, blue-eyed son into the world and our lives changed for ever.  We became parents.  We became a family.  Our boy has truly been a joy since the beginning.  He is caring, careful, loving, patient, hard working, inquisitive, detail oriented, introverted, and an absolute joy to be around.  

This past year, he has grown and developed into a boy.  His body has stretched and toned and he has filled the shoes of big brother like no other I have known.

When I think of this past year with Luke, I swell with pride.  He finished first grade after advancing considerably in his reading level throughout the year.  He started second grade and took the changes with several academic programs in stride and continues to work hard and make progress.  He was active in basketball, baseball, swimming lessons, and took on his first year of tackle football.  He had a few rough spots with nerves over batting in baseball, but he stuck with it, continued to give his all, and finished out the season.  He loved everything about football (once we got all of his gear fitting correctly so he could play comfortably...live and learn:)) and his overall love for the game has strengthen after his first season and watching plenty of football on TV with Daddy:)  We have seen him come out of his shell more with each passing year and we love to watch him play with his cousins, daycare friends, and school friends as he has gained confidence and self assurance.  

Luke, you are truly a blessing to our lives and have made our first path of parenthood smooth and calm. You are an amazing boy who has so much to offer the world.  I love watching you grow, learn, and mature and I love watching you as a big brother to Nora.  

Luke's Year As a Seven Year Old