Happy 11th Birthday Nicholas!

On August 11th, Nicholas turned 11 yeas old!  We held a family celebration at home with beef tacos for dinner and an ice cream Lego cake (built out of ice cream sandwiches), at his request.  He really wanted a huge (expensive!) Lego set which was more than we usually spend of birthdays so he chipped in some of his birthday money to help us get the set he really wanted.  And of course the other kids all created sweet gifts for him.

4800 pieces and he built it in a week, in the evenings after school!!

He sure loves his Legos!

Samuel was so excited to make this bookmark for Nicholas from  Perler Beads

And even a card for him that was Lego themed

In addition to several gifts she made him, Grace had also been planning his "party" for weeks - notice the banner she made for him.  I didn't get a picture of the other banner she made for the fireplace and the 3rd banner she supervised Henry and Samuel making. :-)

 Dear Nicholas,

At 11 years old, you continue to amaze on a regular basis.  You are so incredibly bright, have a memory like a steel trap, excelling exceedingly well at school and always making high A's.  You absolutely love to read and we often have a hard time getting your nose out of a book.  But you balance your intelligent side with a super warm heart and sweet tenderness with your family and friends which is what we love the most about you! You are a fantastic role model for your younger siblings and a good leader at school and cub scouts.  You love Legos, football, swimming, reading, and collecting baseball cards and cool rocks.  You love to have a good laser tag or nerf gun war with your brothers, toss the football with your Dad and also love to rough house with them.  You are a super friend to your sister who clearly admires and looks up to you so much.  You still love to give your Mom and Dad loving hugs on a regular basis.  You have formed great friendships with boys and girls alike.   You are a big thinker with a deep spiritual side.  You enjoy your quiet personal time but also can be quiet silly and playful.  We love every single part of you and and always will.  We are incredibly proud of you and pray for you daily that you will continue to discover and use the gifts God has given you to do great things, for His glory, in your life!  May you be blessed with much health and joy this 11th year of your life!!  We love you so very much!

Love,

Mom and Dad

NICHOLAS' LIST OF FAVORITES AT AGE 11

Stuffed Animal - Patch

Food - Steak Tacos

Movie - Star Wars IX

Show - Lego Ninjago

Clothes to Wear - Basketball shorts and a T-shirt

Game - Minecraft

Snack - Woven wheat crackers

Animal - Dog

Song - "Witness" by Jordan Feliz

Book - the entire Heroes of Olympus series

Friends - Connor Y., William, Caleb

Drink - Dr Pepper or Cherry Coke (which you hardly ever have)

Outside Activity - Play football

Sport - Football

Park Activity - Monkey bars

Inside Activity - Legos

Place to Go - Legoland

Fruit - Nectarine

Vegetable - Jalapeno peppers

What do you want to be when you grow up?    a pilot or a scientist

What gives you joy?    my family

What makes you sad?    unfairness

What do you think heaven is like?   whatever you want it to be, it's paradise and paradise is different for everyone.