keeping aiden's birthday an unplanned surprise (he didn't ask so i didn't tell) made it more special for him. simple surprises i did plan like the movies, pizza with friends, a sleepover, impromptu fireworks (that i didn't plan), building at lowe's, a special dinner, cake with gum!, skating with his dad (in his own skates) individually haven't happened in a while so to have all those things bundled into one weekend was a bit birthday worthy.

topped off with stage one of pumpking carving: the hollowing out.



my mom gave me the kitchen gadgety things colin has. they are for avocados that i remember, but other things too. fyi they are really good for cleaning out pumpkins.

there he is, all 7 years of him. i love when the newness of an age older can work to your advantage in the power of persuasion. how he is now 7 and that's so much older (focused, well mannered, and smarter) than little 6.

i take it wherever i can.