Kyle's 7!

Kyle turned 7 last month! Kyle has grown a lot in the last year and it has been really fun to watch him discover things about himself. He has developed a passion for reading...just like his mommy! Sometimes we sit down and read our books together, and I love spending that time with him. His favorite series right now is the Magic Tree House. He has read about 20 of them in the past few months! Kyle has also developed a passion for learning. He really loved first grade and was an excellent student. He was in the top of his class in math and reading, and was a total teacher's pet. :) Darryl and I are always saying how lucky we are that he is our first child. He is smart, helpful, friendly, and has a very sensitive spirit.

A couple weeks before his birthday, Kyle and I were driving in the car together and he started to cry. He told me that he wished he could spend more time with me...just me and him. He said that he feels like Valerie and Damon take up all my time and attention. He was very upset and it broke my heart. I realized that what he was saying was so true! Because he is an easy kid, sometimes he gets pushed aside and is expected to just be good so I can deal with the other two. We had a long talk and decided to set up a day where him and I could go out together without any other distractions. I took him out to eat at Panda Express and then we went to the movies and saw Kung Fu Panda 2.

Trying to eat with chopsticks...


We had a great time together, and I have decided that this is something I need to do more regularly with my kids. Since our little date, Kyle has looked for every opportunity to be alone with me. Damon and Valerie were in the bath the other night and Kyle asked if I would sit on the front porch with him. We sat on the front porch and he held my hand and just wanted to talk to me! It was so cute!!


Kyle got to celebrate his birthday twice...first was with the Lauritzen side. Here he is with the others who have birthdays in June!


We also had a party with the Hicken side while we were on vacation in Utah. He loves handball, so he was pretty excited to get a couple of them for his birthday.

Playing 2-square with Grandpa Hicken!


Eating his favorite dessert...brownies with chocolate frosting


His favortie gift....Wolverine claws!


Playing hot potato with the cousins


HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY KYLE!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!