Happy Birthday Nathan

First, try and pretend that today is October 27th...

Surprise!!

It's a BMX bike!!

And just the right size....finally!

(The minute we gave him the bike, it started to POUR outside....go figure.  He got to ride up and down the hallway and through the dining room!)

And some hex bugs from his sisters....

and some Super Mario Legos....

And of course, pumpkin pie (instead of cake) for dessert!

Could this six year old be any more delighted that it's his birthday?  When I went in to wake him up this morning, he was already awake and wanting to know "is it morning yet?"  We had covered his bed in balloons during the night, so that he was surrounded when he woke up in the morning.  At his preschool in the morning, he celebrated by bringing in ice cream cups....and he got to wear a birthday crown.  In the afternoon at Kindergarten, he celebrated again with brownies...and yet another birthday crown!  For dinner, we celebrated at pizza hut (and I remembered why I consider it a personal sacrifice to take my children to pizza hut...bleh!  But Nate loved it!)  And then we finished up with pie. 

By that point, Nate was still so excited and thrilled...the way that only a six year old can be....and I remembered how important all these simple joys are to my boy.  Simple things...a bike, balloons, ice cream, pizza, pie, a birthday crown, celebrating with family....and yet they brought such joy, excitement and delight to Nate.  Look at that face!

Nate you are truly our gift from God.  Your joy is contagious and your sweetness, generosity and loving heart are a blessing to everyone in our family.  Your place in our family is unique, as the only boy, and I am so grateful for that...you are already trying to become your sisters' protector.  I am so proud of the young man that you are becoming...of all the things you are learning...of the strength you are developing...and the character that is growing within you.  You are God's gift to me.  And I love you.