Let the season of birthdays begin! Adam is NINE!
After my birthday in March, the next family birthday is Adam's in July, and he has been looking forward to it for a really long time! We had to set a rule that he couldn't plan specifics about his party until one month before the big day... which finally came last week!
Adam woke up really early to get a head start on the day- orange rolls and one big present that was the only thing he really wanted- the Lego Ninjago Destiny's Bounty, which he got started on right away.
He wanted to have a Lego Ninjago themed birthday party, complete with a "Lord Garmadon's volcanic lair cake with a general shooting out of the top".
He was pretty pleased with how it turned out, and decorated it himself.
The whole day was full of fun and smiles- Emma sat down and made this incredibly thoughtful book for Adam- My Brother Is A Ninja.
Soon it was party time! Two ninjas and Master Wu helped get the party started.
Adam wanted to do two things for his party- go to a park to have the ultimate ninja battle and watch the Lego Ninjago Movie.
It was a beautiful day for the park (not to be confused with his 6th ninja in the park birthday party, which was a sweltering hundred degree semi-nightmare, or his failed 7th birthday swimming party which was relocated to our home because of torential downpours).
And every day is a good day for Legos.
Adam was super excited about the pizza that was delivered to our house mid-party, and the cake put on a great show.
Sweet presents from sweet friends.
And then it was time for the movie, which made for the easiest end to a party we've ever had.
Later Adam struggled to open his gift from Grandma Cathy, which was thoroughly taped up (a classic Grandma Gardner move),
and was SO excited to find another Lego set ready to be built.
Then it was on to the traditional birthday dinner with Mom and Dad- a tradition that is getting easier to uphold every year with the presence of a built-in babysitter at home.
Adam chose IHOP, and we had such a good time eating and chatting and talking about the amazing young man Adam is growing up to become. He is my best big buddy.
Then over to Target we went to exchange a few gifts for yet another Lego set. He deliberated thoroghly, but once he saw the Harry Potter Quidditch field set, the choice was made. He was so excited to show Leah his first Harry Potter Lego set!
Adam beat me out that night- I headed to bed before he did.
Jason stayed up with Adam to help his with the Volcanic Lair. A few days later he finished the Destiny's Bounty and Lego fun has been abounding ever since.
Adam is such a joy in our family. He is very deliberate with his thoughts, and likes to thoroughly weigh out his choices before making any decisions. He went birthday shopping with Grandma Morales when she was here and came home with a Lego set, a pack of baseball cards and an IOU for $6, which she dutifully mailed him in a birthday card a few weeks later. And he didn't forget about it!
He tells great stories, is a wonderful writer and is a whiz at math.
He is very rarely in a grumpy mood, despite needing the least amount of sleep of anyone in our family except Daddy. I can usually find him up late at night, reading by headlamp, and then up bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning.
He holds the door open for me whenever we come in the house.
He loves Legos, baseball, Cub Scouts, and origami. Loves loves loves them. Adam is never at a loss for something to do- I can usually find him crouched on the ground fiddling with something.
Adam is a fun little brother and a great big brother- he is patient with Noah and has never once told him to keep his hands off the Legos that fill their room. He's generous and sharing and kind, which is a great blessing to our family.
Adam loves his friends- Mason, Solon, Gabe, Topher, and Ben are his go-to best buddies.
He still plays the piano with gusto- Haydn's Surprise Symphony is his favorite.
He is super helpful around the house and we both love that he can accomplish tasks like installing door knobs, changing hard-to-reach light bulbs and hammering up his Scout Camp birdhouse.
He loves math and takes pride in constantly beating Leah out in multiplication problems.
He worries about going on a mission because he has morphed into a somewhat picky eater and can't imagine having to eating food he doesn't like.
He is adventurous otherwise- always willing to try new things and setting the example for the less-eager kids in our family.
He wants a dog, is constantly thinking of ways to to make a lot of money, and wants to be a Lego builder when he grows up. I tell him that he would be a great doctor because of his lack of need for sleep, his critical thinking skills and his kind heart.
We love you so much Adam. Happy 9th Birthday Mister Man!!!
