Jacob the Seven Year Old

 Right before Christmas, Jacob turned seven. He, like most children, has been looking forward to his birthday for the last six months. He knew there would be no party, but he would get a date with Mom and Dad (which actually happened after Christmas), and command of the menu for the day. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, meatballs for lunch, meatloaf for dinner (I know. What kid likes meatloaf? My other children suffered through it, I can tell you that), and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. He also got to take hot chocolate to school for his class. Here he is with Beau. I love how much my kids love their siblings when they're with them at school.

 And he got to spend his birthday money from Nana. He spent it on an emperor scorpion that he named "Stinger." It's little now, but it may grow to be five or six inches long. It eats live crickets. It recently got its own heat lamp. Jacob LOVES it. I don't mind it, but I really don't want to touch the crickets...

 Jacob got a new nerf gun...

 ...targets...

 ...nerf bullets...

 ...and what's that long narrow gift completely wrapped in duct tape from Uncle Jacob?

Of course. It's a Red Rider BB Gun. Awesome. Don't shoot your eye out, kid.

He got to go out and shoot it the next day and really enjoyed shooting his targets and old soda cans. Beau may have loved it even more than him.
Jacob wanted his cake to have animal figures on it. I did the best I could:

The hippo was mostly submerged in the water and the elephant and rhino were battling. The cheetah was enjoying a mini version of pride rock. It was a hit!
Uncle Jacob, DeAnn, Russel and Zaya came for dinner. It turns out that Marianne and Jacob are soulmates. She LOVES him and cries when he leaves. Probably because he teaches her awesome things like how to knuckle bump.

Jakey,

(my Jakey),

I think you are totally awesome. You are the sweetest big brother to Marianne. You are thoughtful and want so much to be a good boy. You are an awesome artist and a creative thinker. You know how to put things together just like your dad. I love your chocolate chip eyes and your silly smile where your nose gets all scrunched up. I love that you tell me things that worry you and talk to me when you're having a hard time.

You are super special to me and I love being your mom!

Happy Seventh Birthday!