My Gummy Bear is 7

My Gummy Bear turned 7 this week. I can hardly process that my tiny, 5 pound 13 ounce newborn is now a hulking 7 year old. He is having a lovely year in 1st grade, with teachers who appreciate his inquisitive mind and penchant for talking. This year he has really learned to read. He is reading chapter books on his own, which makes my heart happy on the deepest level. He enjoys it so much that I almost don't have the heart to tell him to put the books away when it comes time to eat dinner. Almost.

Bear is also a budding scientist, with a love for all things experimental. He tells me he is going to be scientist-inventor when he grows up. I am 100% behind that plan. He is always asking me questions I can't answer. We spend a lot of time looking things up on the internet. Bear has a gentle heart and is a big help to me around the house. While he and his brother fight a lot, they also play together and dream up all kinds of crazy worlds.

Gummy Bear is very active, although not too interested in organized sports. His G-Pa has taken him to the indoor climbing gym quite a few times, which led to his request to have a birthday party there. We did and it was a lovely day.  Here he is waiting to get harnessed up and start climbing.

Bear and Cheeky Monkey getting harnessed.

There he goes.

All the way to the top. The child has no fear.

I have made the boys' birthday cakes every year. This year I thought I was outdone when Gummy Bear asked for a rock wall climbing cake. Thank God for the internet, because I soon found that rice krispie treated dyed grey make a pretty good rock wall.  I did learn some valuable lessons though. 1. Make some internal supports when you make your structure. 2. Use less butter for a stiffer rice krispie treat.

3. Or your rock wall starts to droop. Thankfully we were able to prop it up with forks and got through the birthday songs before it completely collapsed. Gummy Bear loved it though, which was the most important thing.

Waahh wahhh.

 Here are the present-opening pictures.

I am going to be really sad when those teeth grow back.

And getting some Gummy love at his birthday dinner.

Also going to be sad when I stop getting unprompted kisses and hugs. Guys, it's not that far away.

Bear had a great birthday and I couldn't be prouder of him as he embarks on his 7th year on this earth. Happy Birthday Bear! I love you more than words can say.