And a Half

Do you remember being 7 1/2?  I don't.

Today is Mark's half birthday.  In the way of our children, he thinks this is a Big Deal. 

Here's what I want to remember about Mark, at seven-and-a-half years old.

He loves the following:

-to build with Legos

-Star Wars

-his friend Gavin

-snuggling under a blanket

-being read to

-insisting that you also get under the blanket while you read to him even if you try to convince him you're not cold

-gourmet cheese

-collecting sticks

-testing the limits of his body

-dogs

-telling people he has one grandpa's red hair and one grandpa's name

He has the following:

-a keen sense of smell and no qualms about expressing his abhorrence at the smell of lotion, vinegar, or certain foods...somehow his own feet don't seem to bother him

-a supremely messy room

-the ability to quote funny lines from movies

-trouble sitting still

-allergies

-an arsenal of light sabers

-really big teeth--our orthodontist (who we're single-handedly supporting) sees dollar signs every time Mark goes into his office with one of his older siblings

-a tidy school desk--he straightens it up every day before school and it gives me hope for his bedroom

-his own clothing requirements--he refuses to wear jeans or t-shirts with anything written on them (although he's been known to make exceptions if the Something On The T-shirt is deemed worthy)

-a tendency to be really chatty when his beloved Titi cuts his hair (she's our favorite curly hair expert at Great Clips--and she's patient with verbose little boys)

This morning, to celebrate the Big Day, Braeden played Lego Star Wars with Mark before breakfast:

our camera struggles to keep up with Mark's motion

I told Mark to smile for me...he acquiesced then said, "So you know, I'm trying to play a game here, Mom."

There's a saying, "The days are long, but the years are short."

Sometimes the days are short too.

Does anyone know a way to freeze children so they'll stop growing?