It's great to be 8

I can't believe I have an 8 year old.  It seriously seems like we were just living in that attic apartment in Weehawken and bringing Christopher home from the hospital.  Those were good times.  Life seemed so much easier when they were all babies.  But this time is great too.  Christopher is old enough to be baptized.  I've really come to realize why we believe in age 8 being the age of accountability.  These kids have so many temptations and challenges even in elementary school and they really do need that extra strength from the receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost to be able to make it through.  Even childhood is challenging these days. 
Christopher had a fun birthday.  He is having a friend birthday party later this week which he is really exited about.  His actual birthday was busy with breakfast in bed (a fun tradition), presents, playing with friends, and 5 hours of scout day camp.  Since several of the boys in his primary class are turning 8 within weeks of scout camp they let them all go.   I think on the first day he wasn't sure of it all and it was really long, but by the second and third day he was having so much fun he didn't want it to end.  It was all outdoors so luckily the really hot weather didn't hit us till the last day.  On the last day the families got to come bring dinners and be with their kids.  They had cowboy singers and it was lots of fun.  They did so many fun things and learned a lot.  The highlights for Christopher: archery, BB guns (he got a bulls eye), making boats, panning for gold and learning about kinds of fish.  They already earned some of their belt loops and there were lots of educational things as well.  He now carries his scout book around with him everywhere.  Here we go....4 boys, I have a feeling I will be scouted out by the end of it all.

So, in honor of Christopher here are 8 things we love about him.
1.  Christopher gets so excited about things - sometimes so excited he can't concentrate.
2.  Christopher is a good eater and will try anything I make, even if he's not sure he'll like it.  (although he is my child and really likes sugar too) :)
3.  He enjoys FHE and scripture study
4.  He likes to learn new things
5.  He likes to write me notes and leave them places I will find them
6.  Christopher works hard in school
7.  He is friends with everyone and likes to make new friends
8.  He is excited to get baptized !!



Breakfast in bed.  New addition to the tradition - you get as many pancakes as your age
(obviously they will get smaller the older they get) :)




Scripture case for his new scriptures




Happy Birthday Christopher !





Since he will have a cake at his friend birthday party (and we aren't huge
cake people), he chose cherry pie for his birthday celebration.  And
yes, I am a dork and didn't realize I didn't have enough candles until the last minute



Taking aim




Church and scout buddies- Ryden, Christopher, Grant