Charlie is 8!

Charles Augustine, our sweet baby boy, has turned 8!

Charlie you had a wonderful year.  You played lacrosse in the fall-

We went on a fun trip to the mountains and went to the Aquarium of the Smokies-

You adore Anastasia and the feeling is mutual.  You help entertain her all the time.

You had a wonderful Christmas.  You still adore sheep and talk about being a shepherd when you grow up.

You played basketball in the winter-

A huge highlight during your 7th year was going to Space Camp!  You had the time of your life!!!

You did the moon walk and zero-gravity chair.  You did great!

We had an awesome trip to Disney- it may have been your first visit.  You loved it and rode roller coasters beyond your comfort zone.  :)

You played soccer in the spring-

You LOVE helping me in the kitchen.  You love to sit on the stool and help me cook.

You got great at riding the waves this year-

Your biggest suprise this year was breaking your arm on Memorial Day.  It was very sad and meant six weeks of no swimming.

You had an excellent attitude about it all and did everything we asked you to!

You auditioned for and won a spot in the Birmingham Boys Choir.  You are excited to start this August!

You had your first communion in May-

And then today you altar served for the very first time!

Charlie, we all adore you!  You are a sweet, hard-working, easy-going boy.  I almost never worry about you because you seem so "good."  You are still very cuddly and will let us snuggle you anytime.  You adore your brothers and sisters, but Tucker is your very best friend.  The two of you are so precious together and almost never quarrel.  You love to build and draw.  You are a great reader and student.  You do all your schoolwork with no complaints.  You are a great help around the house and do laundry and dishes.  You are excellent and keeping Annie happy and teaching her things.  You taught her how to put the ring toy together just this week.  

Thank you for being our baby boy.  Mommy and Daddy adore you.  Our handsome, sweet boy- happy birthday!

Today we had your annual pool party at our neighborhood pool and clubhouse, and everyone had a ball.  :)

We had one cooker full of chicken nuggets, one cooker full of sausage as well as chips, applesauce, pasta salad, pimento cheese, spinach dip and pita chips, and watermelon.

We had a TON of children- thankfully we usually had half in the pool-

And the other half on the tennis courts/basketball court-

This is my sweet friend holding her tenth baby!  Catholics love big families.

We appreciate how Father tries to make it to anything we invite him to!  Annie insists on being held by him.

I could not do these giant parties without Holly!  She is the wind beneath my wings and always brings food, helps me serve and clean up, and just gives me advice on how to entertain!

 
And I could not do this without BB's help- especially with Annie.  She took total care of Annie so I could entertain.  And Annie is a FULL TIME job- she never slows down!

We got everything cleaned up and came home to open his presents.  Everyone was so generous and got him great gifts that spoke to his heart. 

He got some giant Legos from Mommy and Daddy.

And Zaza and Big Grandpa sent him laser tag.  BB took him and Tucker out on Monday and got him amazing Legos he picked out.   What an epic birthday for sweet Charliebear.  We love you, Buddy!