Oh don’t get me wrong. Seven came way too quickly for me but, for Samuel, seven was an age that was just out of his reach for far too long. As his friends all had birthdays over the past few months, he felt left behind. Sometimes it’s tough being one of the youngest kids in the class.

The good news is that Samuel tells us he experienced a massive surge in strength and speed at around noon yesterday (the time of his birth), so being seven is already paying off. He also declared it the best birthday ever, even though it’s a non-party year (we only have parties on even numbered birthdays around here). We celebrated with cake while the grandparents visited a week or so ago, a friend sleepover and movie on Friday night (Penguins of Madagascar was his choice) and dinner at Tokio Table hibachi grill on his birthday. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Samuel in a better mood than he was in yesterday.

At seven, Samuel:

• Is still a great hugger and likes to hold my hand
• Tells me I am the best mum in the world (or in history) almost every day
• Continues to be obsessed with all things soccer and can spout off player stats like a savant
• Loves to read – and finished his two new birthday books before the end of the day. (I recommend the Dragonbreath series for seven year olds).
• Found a new love for rocks and minerals (and heavy backpacks)
• Enjoys writing and illustrating his own books – the latest is titled “The funnyest book” and starts with “One a pond a time…” Get it?
• Is sporting a toothless grin that I am enjoying for the fleeting couple of months before his big teeth grow in and my little boy starts looking more and more like a little man.
• Is one of the sweetest, most loving little people I know.

Happy birthday, Samuel. We love you so much.