Happy Birthday, Gunnar!

Big 8 year old!

Yesterday we celebrated Gunnar's 8th Birthday! Wow, I can hardly believe he is already 8! He has been counting down the days for months. He woke up to find a new bike...he thought he was going shopping for one today. Lucky guy, had great weather to help enjoy the day. We were able to take his class outside for a Darth Vader pinata. He chose ice cream cone cupcakes and orange pop to share with his classmates. (Pop is a treat to my kids. They don't get to drink it at home.)

Gunnar let Abree sit by him during his class party. (Don't you love the curlers!)

Trying to find Darth Vader for a whack!

Birthday Boy's class and little sister after the pinata.

Going to his sister's dance recital wasn't his first choice of birthday activities. But through the year's he's grown accustomed to sharing his birthday with dance recital week and the opening week of baseball.

After the recital, we all raced back to our house for cake, ice cream and PRESENTS! He would have been just fine skipping the cake and ice cream! :) He was spoiled rotten with gifts and family to share the special day.

Opening presents!

Gunnar is such a great kid! While he can be stubborn at times, he is very caring. He adores his baby brother and thinks we should have more boys...triplet brothers is his request. And, in our small house, he's offered to share his room with them all! Oh, Gunnar! He amazes me how focused he can be. He can sit for hours and work on something without distraction...Legos, puzzles, home work, reading. By noon today he had all the Lego sets he received yesterday, completely put together! Gunnar loves reading, school, learning, sports and his animals. He has a memory that is incredible. He informed my mom last night that she used the same wrapping paper on his gift last year...Rainman?!!? We all just shook our heads. If mom needs help, Gunnar is always willing to do it and does it well. He is a great helper. Though he doesn't move too quickly in the mornings and often takes a bit to wake up and be happy, he is generally an easy-going kid, who occassionally likes to argue his point. And, best of all, he still likes to give his mom great hugs and an occassional smooch.

1st day of 1st Grade

1st day of preschool

at the lake

G and Black Jack

I love being your mom, Gunnar! I'm so proud of the kid you are. Won't you be 7 one more time?!! (our inside joke!) Keep up your hard work and diligence buddy!

May being 8 be absolutely great!