Jackson turns 7!

Our New Year's boy is now 7 years old! We had a great day celebrating him. 

When we woke up, we were excited to look out the window and see a bunch of hot air balloons flying behind our house. We see them once in awhile during the summer, but hadn't seen them in a long time, and never five at once (even though there are only three in this picture).  

What was even more cool was when one of the balloons landed in the field right behind our house! They landed close enough that we could wave and yell "Happy New Year!" to each other. It felt like it was a special birthday surprise just for Jackson. His birthday balloons this year were the hot air kind, I guess :)

I was one grateful mama when Jackson decided he wanted his birthday party to be at Lowe's Airports. I think throwing a birthday party for a bunch of rowdy 6 and 7 year olds might have done me in. He and his friends had a great time jumping around and they all seemed to really love the ninja warrior course.

After the party, we went to dinner as a family to Jackson's choice, Tucano's. The boys all love that place and it was so nice having a night off from cooking. We surprised Jackson after dinner by taking him to Build-A-Bear (we told him Sean had to grab something at the mall really quick). We've always told him how he got a gift card to Build-A-Bear when he was born, but somehow it got lost and we've never found it. This was redemption I guess :) He loved it and picked out Chewbacca.

Then it was back to home for presents and cake and ice cream! 

He got some great gifts this year, including a model engine he is building with his dad, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", which he has already finished reading, a basketball from his grandparents, Legos from nana and papa, and a bunch of Nike gear he is pretty excited about. 

I'll forever be grateful for this boy. He truly is such a good kid and such a blessing in our home. I honestly think he is one of the very best people I know (young or old).