It's Great to Be 8!

My baby is 8!!  Unfortunately I came down with strep throat on his birthday, but it was a good thing that Josh had that day off so he was home and he took over everything while I rested and tried to keep everyone else from getting it.  Josh made the cake, the bbq enchiladas for dinner, 

Took the kids to Barnes and Noble so Shane could spend his gift card from Grandma Dettinger,

And then to the scout store to get all his scout stuff.  He is so excited to be a scout.

He is still ever the bookworm and got lots of books,

 and a "magic treehouse" bookshelf to put them in.  He was thrilled to get money and a gift card from Grandma Elkins to pick something out.  He got a Nerf gun that we used at his birthday party.

 Yes, I gave in this year and gave him a birthday party even though it is something that makes me go out of my comfort zone.  I figured 8 was a big birthday and I better do it while he was still young enough that the kids would still be excited easily.  So we had a few school friends and a few church friends over for a Magic Treehouse Birthday Party where we completed missions (that were really games) from different book themes.

Shane makes me emotionally exhausted a lot of days, but he also brings me so so much joy.  You know the phrase "Dance Like Noone is Watching?"  That's kind of how he lives his whole life.  He doesn't really care too much what other people think, he does things his own way and with such passion and gusto.  He sings his little heart out every Sunday in church and is very sensitive to the Spirit.  He wants to do the right thing, and wants to please others, especially me.  He is very inquisitive, and wants to know everything about literally everything, which drives me crazy sometimes because he asks a million questions a day but it's also why he loves to read so much, which I love.  He told me "I've never met a book I didn't like."  He has a huge imagination, loves "relaxing", and soft and comfy things.  He can sometimes be lazy and obstinate to things that stretch him or are difficult, and we've had many a conversation about the value of hard work and what it takes to be successful at something, and hopefully they are starting to sink in.  He is super happy most of the time, that is what he's known for at his school.  And he is a great big brother, especially to Aaron, who often finds  Shane and will come up on his own to cuddle him.    

We sure love you Shane!