Happy 7th Birthday, Ben!

Ben turned 7 years old today!  Since his birthday is always close to Thanksgiving, we started the celebration a little early and had a birthday cake after turkey and stuffing.

To Ben's surprise, everyone pitched in and he got a Lego Mindstorm, which he was totally not expecting and initially didn't seem all that excited about... but later he said he didn't want to appear boastful in getting something no one else has... so apparently he tempered his excitement until we got home and he put together his first robot.  Now, it's all he talks about and he says, "I just LOVE it!"

Ben had a very eclectic birthday breakfast... crispy bacon, hashbrown, mandarin oranges, a (gasp) root beer float and it's not a celebration without layered finger Jell-o!

Ben wanted to go to Zoo Lights and though it was a bit chilly, we were well prepared with scarves and gloves and we had fun seeing all of the lights!

We even got to have a visit with Santa at the zoo.  Kara was the only one who had ever talked with Santa and that was back when she was just three years old.  Ben said he didn't really need to talk to Santa because there is nothing else he really needs.  Aww.... I wonder how long that will last.

As promised, Ben got to have In-N-Out on the way home from the zoo.  The simple pleasures of a 7 year old...

I told Ben that he is growing up so fast and he replied, "I know.  I wish I could shrink so I could stay little."  He's a wise one, our little Ben.