Yesterday we celebrated Samuel’s 7th birthday. He chose a robot theme and asked for a bike. Happily, he got both.
We are in the midst of a garden project tackling a huge pile of dirt in our driveway. Last night after the birthday feast and cupcakes we headed outside to continue our shoveling and dirt hauling. Samuel and I were in charge of filling a wheel barrow with the dirt Bret was hauling to fill our raised beds. As we worked away I said to him, “Sam, you can remember your 7th birthday as the day you shoveled dirt with your mom.” He laughed and said, “Yea, Mom. You should write that down somewhere.”
It got me thinking. What will he remember of being 7? I have memories of being seven and in first grade. Aside from a few very vivid moments those memories are more impressions than anything else. So, I decided to write here for Samuel my thoughts on what he looks like at 7.
Samuel at 7…
You are creative and love to build with your hands. I am amazed at the inventions you come up with and how you can see something in your mind even before you build it.
You love math and ask me to quiz you on your facts, just to show me how well you know them.
Your favorite food is spaghetti.
Your favorite colors are red, black and white.
Every night you think of some way to negotiate “5 more minutes” before bedtime.
The freckles across your nose are spreading to your cheeks. I love that.
You don’t like to tie your shoes.
You tell me you love me everyday and thank me for being your mom.
You love that for the first time ever you are “busy” going to both baseball and soccer.
Every morning for breakfast you eat oatmeal with pears, cinnamon and a little maple syrup.
When you talk about growing up you tell me not to worry, because you’ll always live with me.
You love playing baseball and soccer with your brothers and half the neighborhood everyday after school.
Yesterday, while we shoveled dirt, you told me it was your best birthday ever.
Alison
I love this post and want to remember doing something like that for our future kid … due in August, crazy! Your list reminded me of a scrapbook layout concept I saw on Cathy Zielske’s blog a while ago and thought you might enjoy the read (and maybe even do a follow-up interview with your son!): http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/02/awesome-sporty-bacon-or-how-to-interview-someone-and-make-a-cool-hybrid-scrapbook-page.html
Johanna–Thanks for the link! I love the idea of interviewing my boys, I can only imagine some of the answers!
I have to stop reading your blog at work. I knew that today’s blog would make me tear up. What a great way to remember. And the robot cupcake… so cute!
Oh Tara…I love that you read it…and that you know my boys like you do. Have a good day friend!
What a beautiful tribute from my beautiful friend! I read your blog religiously, and love that you’re sharing all your amazing thoughts, creativity, perspective, and warmth with this world. Thank you, Ali! Have a fantastic day!!!!
Thanks Kris! You made my day…
Glad that [I know] had such good day
Thanks for a little cry! Henry had to tell the whole class yesterday that his brother Sam was seven.
Happy 7th Birthday Samuel! Love the robot cupcakes! My oldest is 7 and it is such a fun age, I love every minute of it.
Thanks Bree! I think 7 is a pretty fun age too.
love this post! I interview my kids on their bdays, and be sure to list all their favorite things as well…..it all just goes by too fast.