Dear Ben,

It’s your 7th birthday! I cannot believe how fast time has flown. I remember thinking how lucky I was to have two more years with you at home when we moved here in 2011 when you had just turned 3. Now 4 years have passed and you’ve done both kindergarten and are nearly done with first grade! You are so big, and you run faster than me already. Your feet hit the ground running when you were a baby, and we have had a joke for a long time that “Ben doesn’t know how to walk yet” because you only know how to run!

Here are some pictures you will enjoy.

You weighed in at 10 lbs 2 ounces, and were born at 12:22pm Hawaii time (3:22 pm here on the Pacific coast).

Daddy is introducing Sam to his little brother. What is Sam thinking right now? Do you know what Sam said when you were 3 days old? “Will he be with us for a very long time?” I think Sam maybe thought you were just having a sleepover that first night. 😉

Mommy was very happy that you came out just fine!!!

Gramma gave you your first bath!

Uncle Tim was visiting for a month, and flew home the morning I went into labor. This is where hockey all started – a broom, a golf club, and a ball on our tiny driveway!

You spent a lot of time in the water – even before you were born!

So, Ben, Mommy would like you to know that you have been a happy, bouncy boy for 7 years. When you’re upset, you are really upset, but you bounce back quickly (unless you’re making a point). You still love to play the ukulele and are just now learning not to SHRED it. You’re an excellent dribbler, bouncing the basketball through your legs and around your back at high speed. You are also good on skates, keeping up with big kids and working on your wristers, slap shots (nearly knocking me out with one!) and enjoy hanging out with the D3 teenagers at the roller rink. You’re quite the conversationalist, and very independent. Sam likes to tease you about your girlfriends – everyone says “Hi Ben!” to you at school, and you have a friendly, warm attitude when “coaching” other kids in sports. One really nice mom commented on that specifically while watching you play with her son. She said “You are so good at saying positive things while sharing the rules, like ‘Well, you wouldn’t want to do that in the NBA because it’d be a foul and the other team would get a free shot, but it’s ok today!’ ” ‘.

Other Ben traits to note…you do the laundry for both of you boys. You load the wash, put in the soap, set the dial and start it. Then you listen for the bell and switch it to the dryer without being asked. You help fold carefully, just like Gramma showed you. You like to dress smartly, and are careful to always tie your shoes nice and tight, with a double bow. In fact, you are such a careful dresser, it’s hard to get you out of the house, whereas Sam is already out shooting hockey pucks with his hair all over the place and his pack still in the house! You don’t like to be messy, and don’t like the brunch for lunch option at school because the syrup is sticky. You never forget to wash your hands before eating, and always like to clean up afterwards. You and Sam could not be more different! Daddy thinks you’re a mini-Mommy. Well, I would take that as a huge compliment!

Ben, we love you so very much and hope you have a wonderful day today!!!

Oh – Sam liked to know how big he was each year. Here are your stats: 4 ft 4 inches. You still haven’t passed 60 pounds. I keep trying to sneak you food…

Love,

Mom and Dad