Another Year

 I can't believe I am the mother of an ELEVEN year old... that's right, Evan turned eleven in September!  A big milestone that accompanied his birthday was his advancement in the scouting program!  Evan loves scouts and is very diligent and dedicated to his duties.  He earned his webelos patch, his religious knot and his arrow of light... It took a lot of work and memorizing and goal setting and we are so proud of him!

 When ever the boys earn a badge- the mom gets an accompanying pin (since she does all the nagging along the way, I suppose) I told Glen I am going to get a hat or a scarf of something and wear it to all these den meetings... adding pins for several years to come- I will have quite a collection with these four boys of mine!  A hat covered with scouting pins could actually be kind of cute, right?  ...Or is all the chanting, cheering, hanging upside down stuff  at pack meetings just starting to warp my judgment... you can tell me! There are some great things about scouting but seriously- It is a BOY thing for sure!  Just promise you'll have an intervention if I start sporting a yellow den mother shirt ok? 

On the morning of his Birthday Evan woke to the usual... streamers, balloons, signs and donuts for breakfast!

That night he chose to eat at Juniper Take out for dinner... He invited grandma and grandpa

Right after taking these pictures I dropped the camera on the tile floor at the restaurant and it broke into a million pieces... I am sure Evan got some really great presents and probably had a cake too... I honestly cannot remember, neither can Glen... I am not going to wake Evan up to ask him right now so let's just assume it was one awesome birthday celebration! 

I will end by telling you that I do not know how I would survive without this sweet boy of mine!  Evan is so reliable and responsible.  He is able to see what needs to be done and is quick to step in and help!  He even changes diapers and is the best babysitter around!  Evan has a special gift for noticing others and being sensitive to them  He often gives up what he would like to have or do to make me or his little brothers happy.  He is patient and plays for hours with Oliver and Gabe... building them train tracks and lego sets, playing pretend.  Evan does not complain...(unless I ask him to wash the dishes- the one job he despises)  Every Saturday and Sunday morning Gabe wakes up and heads downstairs and crawls in bed with Evan....Sometimes Evan will read him some stories, take him potty and then get him breakfast before the rest of us are even awake!  Evan is a good friend and leader.  He is oh so smart and curious, he has an incredible memory and can read a book (a big one) in a day!  Evan loves to play all sports and go to games or watch them on TV.  He is kind of shy about it... but Evan is a really great dancer- He has great moves and rhythm and often leads the family in late night dance off's!   I love his smile and blue eyes.  I love his heart- He wants and tries so hard to be good.  He is a deep thinker and bit of a worrier.  He is stubborn and confident and has lots of good ideas.  

Evan is such a great kid- I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom either! 

We are so lucky that he is ours! 

  We love him more than words can express...

Happy Birthday... can't you stay 11 forever?