Sawyer turns 8

I can't believe this guy is EIGHT! I love these little snapshots of him blowing out his candles because this year two of his very favorite things to wear have been his "bug shirt" (it even glows in the dark!) and his hat. The day after he wears his bug shirt, he asks me, "mom - when are you doing laundry again?" I tell him I usually do it twice a week - once on Monday and once on Thursday. "Good!" He says, "I can't wait until my bug shirt is clean again!" He would wear it every.single.day if we let him. He has just got to the point where he alternates it with his navy blue skateboard shirt - I guess he likes dark colors? It makes me laugh because it caught me by surprise that he would be fixated so much on a favorite article of clothing at this age. I guess I thought that would come a little closer to puberty or something? Anyway, he loves wearing his bug shirt and hat and he likes to try and make sure things "match" ("do these go together, mom?") I am fairly certain I know where he got that trait (ahem, his mama!). Anyway, 8. He told me that this year, he didn't want a regular cake. He wanted a cookie-cake! I was like - what is that!?! He said a little girl in his class at school had brought a cookie cake in for her birthday and he thought it was so good he decided he wanted one for his own birthday! So, I scoured the internet and found a recipe for a cookie cake - it was decadent - and really good! I still haven't been feeling very well, so I wasn't able to make it to church on his birthday - but I did make his cake while I was home and everyone else in the family was at church. So, when they came home - the house smelled so good! And Sawyer's eyes lit right up when he saw what I had made for him! We sang him Happy Birthday and ate cookie cake and then he got to open a small gift - new pajamas and a coloring book. He loves pajamas! So they were a hit! This year, we decided to he was old enough to give him something he had been asking for several years now: his own guitar. We did the little gift so he had something to open on his special day - but a few days later, his Dad took him on a special outing to go pick out his own guitar! He was SO excited! It didn't come as a total surprise - we had told him we might get him one when he turned 8 - but I do think it was a good lesson that good things come to those who wait! ;) 

Sawyer is also preparing to be baptized. He is taking the missionary discussions and reading the Book of Mormon. As his parents, we really wanted him to have ownership of his decision. And has decided to be baptized! So we are going to help him prepare this summer and he will get baptized in the fall. He is excited to invite a few of his friends from school - and we are thrilled for him. There are so many bitter and sweet parts about watching your child grow and grow up. All I can say is I am proud of this boy. He is a good one! He is incredibly smart, deep thinking, thoughtful, energetic, loves loves his family and siblings, is so artistic and has so many wonderful talents. He takes to heart making good choices and decisions and I am excited to see what kind of trail he will blaze into his undoubtedly bright and exciting future! Love this little guy so much! Eight is going to me GREAT!