Jack's 8th Birthday- The Gift

I played a little trick on Jack this year for his birthday. The end result was a new bike, but getting there was most of the fun. 

Jack- 8 Years Old

When Jack wakes up tomorrow morning, he will be eight. Goodness, the years have gone by too fast. And yet each year has been more joyful than the last. Here's a quick interview I did with Jack that is a snapshot of him on the eve of his birthday. 

Favorites: 

Color- Blue

Food- Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza

Treat- Kit Kats

Subject in School- Reading or Math

Sport- Baseball

Hobby- Reading, Taking Pictures, Playing Violin

Movie- Toy Story 2, Star Wars

TV Show- Rebels, Clone Wars, Wild Kratts, Odd Squad

Book- Diary of a Minecraft Zombie series

Toy- My kitty cat

Animal- Aye Aye Lemur

Song- Wild Kratts theme song

Restaurant- Taste of Maine

Fruit- Apple

Vegetable- Asparagus

Place to Visit- Grandma's

Friends- Bo (school) and Luke

Thing to do with Luke- Nerf Guns

Where might you go to college? Clemson

What job do you think you want to have? Pediatrician, Biologist, Paleontologist, Teacher, Professional Baseball Player

What do you want to learn how to do? Hit a baseball with a bat

What are some of your talents? Jumping high, Karate kicking

What are some of your strengths? Good with cats, Great at reading and I love it. 

What is something you wish for? Kittens

What is something you wonder about? I wonder about all the different ways people write around the world like with symbols and stuff.

Who is someone you miss? Megan, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Kevin, Jake, Ike, and Liz

What makes you nervous? Lightning in the dark

What makes you happy? Obi

What age do you look forward to being and why? 30 because I can buy my own cat! 

Violin

Jack began taking violin lessons in August. He's been asking me for at least a year because he wants to be able to play Peter's part in Peter and the Wolf. I took him to see the symphony orchestra perform the program while we lived in Virginia (2.0). Maybe someday... 

On my birthday this year, I am taking the boys and John to see Peter and the Wolf again, this time performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Maybe Luke will be inspired. 

In April, Jack will perform in his very first recital. I remember my very first piano recital and how nervous I was about it. Jack is much more outgoing than I ever was, so I wonder if he'll experience the same butterflies I did. 

Christmas Card Photo 2016

These three cuties have been delivered to all our loved ones' mailboxes to spread some holiday cheer. 

Santa Visit 2016

A neighbor who has the nicest pictures of her children encouraged me to try a local photographer who does really affordable mini sessions. Knowing this may be my last year the boys fit on Santa's lap, I decided to buy one of the Santa mini sessions. The boys had such a good time. Santa has a sense of humor! Jack and Santa read The Night Before Christmas aloud, the boys had some cookies that Mrs. Claus baked, and Santa heard each boy's toy request. Jack asked for a Nerf gun. Luke asked for a Minecraft set. I will definitely be watching for this photographer's future mini sessions. She got more good pictures of the boys in 15 minutes than I get in an entire year, and the kids had a blast.