Graham's 6th Birthday

 Our happy, goofy, youngest boy is now six! Just like on the year of his birth, this year his birthday fell on the first day of school. As I mentioned in my previous post, this turned out to be a boon for him because we got to spend the day playing at a beautiful lake.

He certainly didn't complain about the birthday doughnuts either.

After partying at the lake, we came home and celebrated the rest of the evening with Katie and her kids, and my brother, Daniel, who was in town visiting for the week. Graham chose to have hamburgers for his birthday night dinner (other birthday week dinner choices included tortellini, waffles, and a dinner out at McDonalds).

 Graham asked Katie to make him a "jungle cake" and she did not disappoint!

The monkeys were a big hit; Graham asked to have one to eat all on his own (gag).

Graham had to leave his own party to go to soccer practice (he wasn't sad about that; soccer practice is just an extra hour each week he gets to play with his buddies), but when he returned he got to open his gifts.

Graham is a huge animal lover so many of his gifts were animal related. One of the gifts we gave him was a National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia. He's spent many, many hours and days poring over it since his birthday.

Graham continues to be a happy, social kid. He loves any opportunity to be with friends... and he considers everyone a friend. He's still going through a contrary phase, so he loves to answer with the opposite of what he really thinks. He's also trying out negativity. It's not a good fit for him.

Remnants of a morning smoothie

Graham is a clever, confident, funny boy. One recent Saturday I was taking him to his soccer game and had to turn around twice (once because I was going the wrong direction and once because I forgot my phone). "Graham, I'm so sorry," I told him, "we might be late to your game and it's all my fault."

"It's not your fault," he responded.

I laughed, "Really, then whose fault is it?"

"Mine," he quipped, "I gave you a forgetting potion!"

Thank you Harry Potter.

Road Rash

One Sunday at church one of the primary leaders tracked me down saying, "I have to tell you the funniest thing that just happened!" 

Graham had been asked to read a scripture at the beginning of primary. He happily hopped up to the microphone and read his scripture.  As he was walking back to his chair, the primary chorister commented, "Wow, Graham, you're a really good reader!"

Graham bent halfway over, touched his chest and laughingly proclaimed, "I know!"

This resulted in all the adult leaders and teachers busting up laughing.

There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. He might have crossed over a bit...

An Interview with Graham:

Favorite Color?: "Silver."

Favorite Candy?:  "I don't know. Mints."

What do you want to be when you grow up?: "A Narwhal.”

Where do you want to go on your mission?: "Russia because I want to see the things that are in Russia. No, Antarctica because I want to see penguins."

Favorite Primary Song?: "'I Will Be What I Believe'."

Favorite Animal?: "Tarsier."

Favorite Movie?: "'I don't have one. I like Toy Story 3.'"

Favorite Thing to Do?: "Have pizza and watch movies all day."

Favorite Food: "Pizza, hamburgers, and pancakes."

Best Friends?: "Ben, Silvie, Ike, and Corbin."

Favorite Book?: "'Animal Encyclopedia.'"

Favorite Toy?: "Legos."

What makes you happy?: "Playing Legos and eating pizza."

Favorite thing to do with Mom?: "Read books."

Favorite thing to do with Dad?: "Go to the library."

What do you do really well?: "Reading and painting."

What makes you laugh?: "Hahahaha. That question made me laugh! Everything makes me laugh."

What’s the best time of day?: "Free time, because then I can do whatever I want."
What's your favorite day of the week?: "Monday because we are going to have co-op on that day."

What are you afraid of?: "Nothing."

What do you like to do with your family?: "Play board games and eat pizza."

What do you love to learn about?: "Animals."

What is your favorite class/subject?: “Science.”

Where do you like to go?: "Out to eat.”

If you had one wish, what would it be?: "Everything!"

What would you do if you had $1,000?: "Buy Legos and go out to eat."

What is your favorite song?: "'I only like church songs.'"

What do you hope you can do before your next birthday?: "Get one Lego pack." 

What's your favorite Super Hero?: "Flash."