Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
My eldest turns 7 years old! For some reason, seven sounds so much older than six? How is that possible that only twelve months later, he seems far more grown up. We are celebrating my biggest boy this week for his special birthday. He was lucky enough to get a birthday party before he left for America with his school friends from England and then celebrate his actual day amongst family and friends at the beach here in the states.
To say he was over the moon, doesn’t describe how wide his grin was coming down the stairs at Grandma’s house and seeing the dining room decked out in Happy Birthday glitter. We had a fun birthday breakfast and packed the car to bursting proportions for a day at the beach. We had Grandma and my niece in tow and our best friends and their kids met us there for some birthday sandcastle building, ice cream eating and playground playing fun.
It’s always a great day at the beach and worth the long car ride to get there from my parents’ house. I have spent my childhood summers at the beach and I love that I get to do that with my kids now too. I hope they have fond memories of it when they are older as I have. If only it was blue, clear water like abroad but I will take the lake views and man-made sand any day over nothing. Still one of my favorite things to do with the kids while we are visiting here in America.
B wanted ice cream instead of cake, even though we came up with a delicious eggless cake for him, he wasn’t keen. So we stuck a number 7 candle in his bubble gum ice cream (which he had never had before) and we sang to him right outside the ice cream hut at the beach. He was absolutely beaming.
Giving everyone thanks and hugs, he is so grateful for the presents he receives. He truly has a heart of gold. I couldn’t be more proud of the little boy he is and the manners he shows. The smallest things can make him light up. I love watching how he has changed over the years from a bouncing baby to a running toddler to a smart kid. He continues to be obsessed with the things he has always loved right from the start: cars and legos. They are his life. He doesn’t care that the boys in his class say it’s babyish to watch Blaze and McQueen at his age. I love that. He proudly states he loves them with no fuss.
My Dad started teaching him about cars when he was about two. He would help him in his garage restoring and building hot rod cars. This year for his birthday, Grandma passed down a lot of tools, car trophies, and memorabilia from Papa to Buba. Something we all will cherish so much. I think that’s the best present anyone could have given him. Memories of Papa and him together are worth far more than any bought present.
With the celebration of life and spreading of my Dad’s ashes, we have had the whole family and friends from far and wide show up to honor him at the house therefore we didn’t do our annual double birthday party like we normally do at my parents’ house this year. But it was still good to see everyone and we will just have to make up for it next year with an even bigger double birthday party event with baby boy turning one too. Might have to make it an annual triple birthday party instead.
This year, it’s been more about the quality of time spent with my kids in a place I call home. While we have been sad packing up the family home and looking for where my mom will end up, I have no doubt our summers in America will long continue wherever she goes, because we will follow her.
You have had a big year starting golf, competing in swimming, losing numerous teeth, moving from infants to juniors in school and so many achievements in between at school for your love for academics too. I couldn’t be more proud of you and all you do. You started STEM kids engineering classes too and for the past three years have stuck to becoming an engineering, designing cars someday. I can’t wait to see what you do in the future.
I think all the kids have really enjoyed a slower summer than we have ever had before. The long, lazy days together bonding with their new baby brother. It’s been great being out in the outdoors in the hot weather every day and soaking up the fresh mountain air.
Happy Birthday to my beautiful first born! You were the one that made me a mother for the first time. You stole my heart and made me instantly know I wanted more children. You make me so proud to be a parent. I am so grateful to be your mother and be the one that gets to watch you grow up, change, mature, love, laugh, and see where the world takes you.
Happy birthday B. Looks like he had a lovely birthday. You’re right, the move from 6 to 7 does seem like a huge one. And it’s a great age.