Look Who Turned NINE!

Our first born is 9 years old today. NINE. It crossed our minds that we are now halfway through raising him into adulthood. YIKES! Its scary. I think it will really hit us hard next year when he hits double digits. Its so cliche and I say it every time I write about them on their birthdays, but these kids are growing up way too fast! I still have vivid memories of him as a colicky baby who wanted to be held ALL the time. I remember how much he hated his carseat and would scream for hours on the 5+ hour drive from Santa Cruz to Los Angeles (remember that Jen?). I remember him building elaborate structures with megablocks at 14 months old. And now he is halfway through third grade! He is doing division! He is asking for things like cell phones and iPods (pfft, as if!) rather then legos and transformers (although he still wants those too). I don't think I am ready for the "tween" stage (which starts at age 9, I guess), but it is definitely upon us.

We celebrated J's birthday much the same as we did Alayna. Yesterday, Peter took him to the Lego store in Chandler and let him pick something and then they went out to dinner at Red Robin for his free kids' meal and sundae. Today, we picked up his free Krispy Kreme dozen and sang happy birthday at breakfast time. We also took cupcakes to share with his class (well, Peter did this since I was in school at the time the teacher specified would be ok). After school, he came home and opened his birthday cards and gifts. Then, we picked up his meals from 'the big three' (Joe's BBQ, Joe's Farm Grill, and Liberty Market) and shared them for dinner. It was a great day celebrating our boy! Tomorrow, I am taking him for his free Cold Stone ice cream. Gotta love birthday freebies! :)

Here are some pics from his day.

Sundae AND a milkshake from Red Robin




Birthday breakfast!


Joe's Farm Grill free dinner!




Presents!


Happy Birthday, J-man. We love you. Here's to the next 9 years!