brayden turns 8.

His birthday breakfast request was a bowl of Oh's. I offered pancakes, crepes, eggs & bacon, french toast, oatmeal, and waffles. Oh's is what he wanted. He was so shocked that we got him a Club Penguin Wii game, but when I saw it circled and starred a million times on his list, and it also had arrows pointing to it that said, "the thing I want the very most!" how could I not?! He kept telling people that he couldn't believe we got it for him and that it was $50 and he thought his mom would never buy it in a million years ;) We also surprised him with the mask hoodie that he begged relelntlessy for when we were in Newport this summer. I must say its much more fun when gifts are really a surprise. I brought him Subway for lunch at school and then after school we had a family party at the park. He was very animated and gracious with each gift he opened (I told kosty to take notes). My sister was so nice to take some pics with her good camera, and I'm so glad because the three I took were all crap. At the end of the day, he told me it was the best birthday ever. (it was also the most simple. yay.)

Dear Brayden,

This is a special year! Eight years old, and your baptism is right around the corner. What to say to you this year? I feel so blessed to have you as my first born. You are such a sweet, loving boy and Kosty is lucky that you are too :) You are witty, smart, and charming. You are also so responsible. Every morning you get ready and do everything there is to do before coming in my room and gently waking me up. (I will forever love you for this because momma likes to sleep till 8 on the dot). But you love your alone time in the morning, you love feeling independent and responsible. You also love to have enough time to watch a little t.v. before you get dressed and eat breakfast. I love when I drop you off in the morning and I see a handful of kids run up to you and sometimes I see arms thrown around you. I am so happy you are well liked. Just a couple weeks ago, I had a parent teacher conference with Mrs. Jones. She was absoultely gushing about your school work, especially your reading and handwriting. She paused and put her hand over her heart as she showed me your neat penmanship. After she was done praising your school work, she continued to tell me about your personality in class. She said that you are smart, but more importantly, you are so kind, very considerate of her and your classmates, so thoughtful, so polite, and such a great example. I was a little embarrassed, but the more she described you, the more my eyes filled up with tears. It is everything a momma wants to hear about her boy. You are just the sweetest boy. I often tell people that you were born an angel and have stayed that way. I really do feel like you came to us this way. So, I don't consider it bragging because I don't credit our parenting, you have always had a tender heart and strived to do the right thing. I love you for that, and for everything else you are. You are one amazing little boy! We are so lucky to have you in our family.

Love,

Momma