it's heaven ...

... being SEVEN!

liam turned the big 0-7 (hmm -- that doesn't quite have the same ring to it as a double-digit age does) a few weeks back, and i've kind of dragged my heels on his annual birthday post because i've wanted to find just the perfect picture that i've taken from the last year that best encapsulates his personality.  but i couldn't.

i've got tons of him playing sports, since he loves ALL things athletic. 

after being a professional golf tournament spectator (and being handed signed balls and even a glove), he was more hooked than ever

and i've got tons of him with susanna, since he is really an amazing big brother and loves her so.

their first sleepover ever -- in liam's room.  they giggled for a long while before finally drifting off to sleep

i've got tons of him being goofy, since he's got a great sense of humor.  (i just wish i could somehow take a picture of the jokes he makes up, which can be surprisingly clever.)

i was surprised at just how many goofy pictures i had to choose from

i've got tons of him being serious, since he's focused and driven to the point that he tunes out everything around him if he's concentrating (even his parents talking to him.)

yes, that's the webster's dictionary he's reading at my parents' house, which he continued to do for a good half-hour

i've got tons of him playing the wii, his third favorite pastime behind sports and academics, like this one, taken on a fairly cold morning when we still had it outside hooked up to our tv on the back porch.

a wii bit chilly, i do believe

i've got tons of him from church activities, since he is growing in his faith everyday, asking insightful questions about God and Jesus and learning to love the Lord.

our fearless joseph in the 2010 christmas pageant -- a role he took quite seriously

but it's this one that melts my heart every time i see it.  it's this one that shows his true personality: a kind, sensitive, thoughtful little person who adores school and learning and being around others.  it's a letter he wrote to his new first grade teacher the evening of the first day of school -- unprompted; he did it just because he wanted to.  (on the other side, he drew a picture of himself and mrs.turner, next to each other reading books.)

happy birthday to my most favorite boy on the whole planet.  it's heaven being seven!