Alex's 8th Birthday

I got him an adventure vest. He loves it. Look at my big boy!

Eight years ago, I was sitting in the hospital in horrific pain and waiting to give birth to my first born. I'll never forget seeing him for the first time and how amazed I was at seeing this perfect little boy that I'd carried for over nine months. Fast forward to today and I have an eight year old boy, full of amazing talent and personality. It's amazing how fast he's grown. We went to go buy him another pair of shoes (he goes through a pair every two months) and he's in a size four. That is one size (men's shoe size chart) from my feet. Sometimes, when I'm out of socks, I go borrow a pair of his because they fit me so well. It's strange. But I'm so happy how he's growing up.

This year for his birthday, he wanted to stray from his shark theme. Though still into sharks, he has also found a new love - monsters. Frankenstein, mummy, wolfman, creature from the black lagoon...that kind of monster. He loves them and finds as many books about them that he can. I have no idea what got him started on it, but hey...whatever makes him happy. The great thing about monsters is that he has an October birthday. Halloween stuff is everywhere and that's what he wanted. So I think I may have made my best cake yet. I will make my kids fun cakes until they tell me they don't want them. That's my personal gift to them as Mom. He woke up last night to go pee and came into the kitchen to see if I was done decorating it. When he saw it, he flipped out. I'd say he was happy. Which made me happy, of course.

This year, there was no big party with friends. We kept it to just family. It was still great and he said to me tonight, "You know what mom? This was the best birthday ever!" Of course, he says that every year, but I'll take it. I'm so happy that Josh's family came to celebrate. Alex is always excited to see his cousins, Aunt Heather, and especially his Uncle Ben. It was a good day.

On another note, he did get to celebrate the his official birthday at the doctor's office. Turns out the kid got bit by a brown recluse spider over at Grandma's house. Oops. He's okay, but it's been a bit worrisome for me. The doc said it sounds like it's already starting to heal well, but we have to watch it for a week at least to make sure. Whew...what a birthday!

Before the party day, we had birthday soy ice cream sundaes to celebrate the official day.

Gotta love the cake decorating. Lovin' the cake this year though.

Cousins!