Wonderful, Patient 7

Ben you turned 7 years old last week. You have changed so much in the past year! This is the story you told me about turning 7.

"Mom, I am so much different this year."
"Why do you say that?"
"Remember last year I was crying all the time, saying when is my birthday going to come, and I can't wait for my birthday, and I would cry and cry waiting for all the toys? Now I am so patient. Now I don't cry at all waiting for my birthday."

And Ben, you continue to be a keen observer of life, even your own! It is amazing how much more patient you've grown over the past year. You're still just as persistent and focused as ever - we've really enjoyed spending *months* putting together your birthday wish list - you learned how to type it into a computer, and three weeks before the big day we shopped for gift bags.

Last year during your own party you had to take a little break upstairs to get away from the action and regroup. But this year you took your whole party in stride, and managed to navigate getting your friends from school and your best friend Kenny who didn't know anyone else to all play together.

Ben here are some of the reasons we love you:
1. You are passionate! When you are excited about something there is no stopping the outpouring of enthusiasm. Your latest passion is collecting hot wheels cars (you returned a duplicate gift at Target and picked out 20 more cars for your collection) and planning the making of your own video game. Dad has said he won't start working on this with you for another year, but this hasn't curtailed the conversations you want to have about this topic!
2. You are persistent. See above.
3. You are a deep thinker and deep feeler. Scooby Doo gives you bad dreams. You sometimes cry when we leave you with a trusted sitter. You love your stuffed doggie and skunkie and just built them a cardboard bed.
4. You are our son and we love your endlessly!