Happy 8th Birthday, Aidan!

Well, it's September 8, so why wouldn't I be writing a birthday post for Aidan?  Since going back to work more than a month ago, I am only now beginning to feel *a little* more organized.  I am going to play catch up on my blog posting over the course of the next week (or month!).

I can't believe Aidan is eight years old!  It does not seem possible that eight years have gone by since this picture.  Jared and I were just talking today about how we can't believe we're old enough to have an eight year old!!  We don't FEEL "that" old.  :)

But eight years have gone by since this picture, and we can't turn back the clock, so we're try to do our best and make the most of the kids' childhoods.  I get bogged down with things and often look back and wish I did more, but there is one time of the year that I truly go all out: their birthdays.  I'm big on birthday parties and doing everything I can to make their birthdays memorable.  Here are a few pictures from Aidan's 8th birthday.  This year, he had a sleepover party at our house with several of his friends.  And because Aidan's birthday wouldn't be complete without a rained out pool party,  we made plans to take all the boys swimming, and one of the worst lightning storms I've seen in a long time rolled in about ten minutes after we arrived at the pool.  Luckily, we were able to go back the next morning and make up for it.

Austin and I started the morning off decorating Aidan's door while he was still sleeping.  

When Aidan woke up, he absolutely LOVED it!!!  

Right after he broke through, he said, "Best birthday EVER!"

Birthday pancakes have become a tradition here in our house.
This year, I did them in the shape of an "8" with whipped cream.  They were a big hit!! 

Look at that reaction!!  A Lego Idea book from Grandma & Grandpa - an obvious hit! 

We could make some money off his reactions!  He gets this ability from Grandma, not me!

He and Austin have gotten a lot of use out of this bow and arrow!
Thank you, Uncle Sean & Aunt Wendy!

The Harry Potter cake he asked for... quite possibly my proudest moment as a mother yet.

The birthday money that Nana & Guka sent to Aidan pushed him over the $100 mark, so Aidan has been making a list of the things that he wants to buy with all his money.  I haven't listed everything Aidan got that day, but thank you to everyone that helped to make his birthday so special!