EIGHT. 8 years old! I’ve been a mom for 8 years!

look how big my baby is!

Benji is growing so fast. He is such a good kid and we love him so much. Benji wanted the traditional cousins party for his birthday. We had 21 Nettesheim cousins over to the house. We played a Star Wars card search game and chose little plastic men prizes. We opened presents and sang, ate cake and ice cream and then watched a movie and let the kids do their thing. Benji had a blast and the new house accommodated the numbers well.

cousin party

R2D2 = happy Benji

happy birthday dear Benji!

Saturday, the next morning was Benji’s real birthday. Benji and I worked on legos while Ben went and got donuts since that is one of his absolute favorites. After donuts he opened the gifts from us and then played with his new stuff until 12:30 when we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Netty’s for Nettesheim Family pictures. We spent the rest of the day at their house with all of Ben’s family… parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, spouses and kids. benji had a good time playing with cousins and Grandma made Tacos for dinner so he was happy. We had more ice cream sandwiches that night and it was birthday success.

new star wars legos!

spy gear, flying saucer, webkin, skylander, Ben 10 Xbox Game

cousin picture

trying the flying saucer

cousin time

Benji has grown leaps and bounds this year. He has gone from timid to crazy. He used to be scared to try new things or push himself but this year everything is starting to click. He has more confidence and isn’t afraid. He  actually puts holes in his jeans and shoes! He is great at entertaining his brothers and sisters. He loves to make Ray and Rose laugh. He loves to be the center of attention (at home at least). He loves dancing to Witch Dr’s. He loves playing with his cousins. He learned to ride his bike. He is a good reader. He likes homework and scripture challenges. He is officially a swimmer. And now he is looking forward to getting baptized (August 3rd)! He is still the most tender hearted boy and will share his things in a heart beat. He is also curious and asks a million questions. At dinner tonight we were giving him a hard time because he kept asking “what?” “what did you say?” It’s not that he’s deaf, it’s that he is trying to understand everything that Ben and I are saying to each other!