Benjamin’s 8th Birthday

Eight years old! Benjamin has been SO excited to turn eight. Eight is such a special birthday in our family and we loved having a weekend of celebrating Ben!

Hobbit Party

Mark introduced the kids to The Hobbit this year and Ben is obsessed. He knows the names of all the dwarfs and their heights. He loves all things Hobbit. So when I asked him what kind of party he wanted it was a quick answer – HOBBIT!

We woke up and had Ben’s birthday breakfast – orange rolls! We got ready for the day and made our way to the trampoline park. Jacob and Sarah have chosen to go here on their birthdays but each time Lydia has been sick, so her and I have never been. It was fun to be able to go as a whole family this time.

There are lots of trampolines, a ropes course, and a ninja course. It was so fun watching Ben do his thing and challenge him on all the courses.

We came home and hung out that afternoon. Ben is so thoughtful. When I asked him earlier in the week where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner, he said he wanted to do something at home “because Lydie likes being home better.” He is the best.

So we ordered some pizza and then Gramps, Grammy, and Aunt Melina came! Ben was so excited to have them here and to share in his special day. We ate pizza, had mint chocolate chip ice cream cake, and opened cards and presents.

Our Eight Year Old Boy

Benjamin’s Favorites

What is your favorite thing to do? Build LEGOS
Do you have any nicknames? Ben
What do you want to be when you grow up? Engineer
What is your favorite thing to do with family? Play games
What makes you happy? Playing with Lydie
What do you like to learn about? Books
What do you do really well? Build LEGOS
If you had a million dollars what would you buy? A car
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Bocce ball
If you could go anywhere where would you go? Hawaii
If you could have one wish, what would it be? That I could get whatever I want for free
What was your favorite birthday present? Jurassic Park LEGO

Food: Cheese Pizza
Holiday: Christmas
Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Toy: LEGOS
Treat: Vanilla ice cream
Animal: Penguin
Movie: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Hobbit
Color: Orange

Our family would be a very boring place without Benjamin! Ben is always full of energy and ready to move and groove.

Ben and Lydie have such a special relationship. He is so good to her and loves playing with her. I love watching them together. Ben is very attentive to Lydie. His first stop when he gets up and his last stop before he goes to bed, is always to give Lydie a love in her room.

Ben is definitely Mark’s son through and through. He has become obsessed with all things John Williams, just like his Dad. Whenever it is just me and one of the kids in the car, I always let them pick the music. Every time it is a John Williams soundtrack for Ben. And after school he loves to listen to his favorite tracks on the computer.

With all of that energy, Ben loves to wrestle. He asked for a punching bag for his birthday and it is hilarious and also maybe a little bit terrifying. He can hit! We are hoping this will be a good way to get out some of that abundant energy!

Nobody keeps us laughing more than Ben and his Ben-isms. Everything these days is either “glorious” or “a disaster“. He may be a little dramatic but we can’t help but love our little drama king.

I love Ben so much. I love that he still grabs my hand whenever we walk next to each other. I love that he still jumps into my arms and gives me the tightest hugs.

We love you so much, Benji.