Happy Birthday Aaron, the big Six

This is a great picture of Aaron, because it's just like him ~ hair tussled, dirt on his shirt and a smile that can't be contained on his face. There's also giggles just flowing. Sometimes he gets going and he just can't stop. Of course that he's playing in water and outside, two of his favorites, just add to the fun.

We try to do the birthday person's favorites on there special day. So here is Aaron with one of his favorite breakfast ~ waffles with whip cream. He really loves whip cream, a fairly new addition to his favorites list. He also is thrilled with blowing out candles, so he did this at least three times before we actually ate breakfast.

No Aaron day is complete without balloons, the bigger the better. He is crazy about them. He also really enjoys Curious George and finds great humor in the monkey's antics. So a giant Curious George balloon, just seemed perfect.

What's more fun than licking the cake batter from your own birthday cake.

We opened presents and tried them all out. He had lots of fun. He enjoys things that move, twirl, make music or roll. It's so much fun to see him having fun checking out new things and really enjoying being the complete focus of everyones attention. You could tell he felt very special.

The finished cake, complete with George, which Aaron found very exciting. And of course more candle blowing.

He loved being sung to and applauded our efforts very enthusiastically.

He was so funny about wanting me to make sure I saw him with his cake, which of course he loved ~ another favorite ~ chocolate. That's my boy!

He's had lots of pictures taken of him, and has started to find humor in trying to move so I have to "catch" him to get the picture. I was successful here, though I now have many pictures with missing body parts.

A pinata~ a perfect combination of many things that Aaron loves ~ Curious George, candy, dangling ribbons, and it can spin or twirl.

It's hard to believe that my little guy is 6. He keeps us busy and on our toes, laughing, inspired, and feeling well loved. I jokingly tell friends that though I'm getting older, Aaron is keeping my reflexes and peripheral vision youthful.

In thinking of him on his birthday, I thought I'd share..........

Some Things I've learned from Aaron:

*the unexpected can be much better than what you feared

*different can be wonderful

*hard is a way to things that bring great rewards and a sense of the worthwhile

*joy and contentment are a choice we can make (Aaron seems to be both with such ease)

*seemingly small and simple can be amazing

*we can communicate lots with no words

*unconditional love can be so easy and free

*forgiving quickly, not holding onto anger or frustrations is something we should all strive for, though Aaron has mastered this rather quickly

*we miss lots of joy and excitement by overlooking the small things~ rain on a window, butterflies, the feel of sand in your fingers, the amazement of a floating bubble or balloon, the awe of a lightening bug at night, it's a shame we grow out of this

*the value of working hard to learn things that others take for granted, this is different than working hard at something we can do that just requires time and effort, but working hard and showing determination when trying to do something you can't yet do

*failing at something, just means trying again a little harder

*the things the world views as measures of success and accomplishment are fleeting , the things that last - being loved and loving others, caring for others, the ability to show compassion, being content but still striving for better, finding joy in the everyday, feeling a sense of belonging in a family, feeling that you have a purpose even if others don't always understand

*some folks see us and I know feel sorry, badly etc, but the truth is the extra effort we have put out for Aaron, is far surpassed by all that we have gained by having him in our family

*challenges are really just opportunities for God to show up in big and small ways

*hugs are undervalued, one given well can relieve most daily ails