11 and Growing

Another year...another birthday! Connor keeps growing and growing. I've only been using a digital camera for the past 2 years, so going back in time with Connor hasn't taken me very far....but if you could see his scrapbook, ahhhh, my handsome little man has grown. As a baby I called him my solace baby, he was always so calm and happy....and he still is (okay, let's be honest, most of the time he's still that way.) Yet, for the most part, he's such a help and peacemaker in the family. He's often been attentive to his younger siblings--quickly coming to help me with them when I call, even when I ask him to stop his favorite play--legos. He's always been that way, I have many pictures of him cuddling and caressing his little sisters when they were a baby.

Connor at age 9 His love of science was begining to show, he wanted a science themed birthday party with a volcano cake.

Connor and Cailin--Christmas 2007

The kids, Valentines 2006

In our family you only get to have a birthday party every other year. The other year is a special date with Mom and Dad. This year was his date year. He wanted to go to Olive Garden for an authentic Italian dinner. He loved the chicken and gnocchi soup...I even told him that gnocchi was made with potates and he still loved it. He also had the 'tour of Italy' meal, a sampling of 3 pasta entrees. I was suprised, but he couldn't finish the meal and enjoyed the leftovers for lunch the next day. It was a lovely night, with just him--and I think he really enjoyed that part because in our family alone time with mom or dad doesn't happen often.
Connor's grandparents often send cash for birthday presents. He's been planning and schemeing on how to best spend that money. Because of his love to legos he's decided to purchase an X-wing fighter, from the Star Wars lego collection. At the present time he's eagerly awaiting the mailman to come and hopefully bring his new X-wing.

Yet, no birthday is complete without a cake!! He's been planning his cake for quite a while, his two favorite loves were to be included--chocolate and candy. His cake was chocolate topped with crushed Butterfingers and Recees's peanut butter cups.
After an evening of fun at cub scouts we all enjoyed his scrumptious cake. MMmmmmm. Happy Birthday Connor Boy!