We celebrated with a family brunch to Our Home Kitchen the weekend before his actual birthday. It's now one of our new favorite breakfast spots!!
Monday morning he woke up to waffles Nutella and berries, I had to run Miriam to an early ballroom practice so I brought the 9 birthday balloons home with me.
I picked Soren up from school for a birthday lunch but first I surprised him by making a stop at Bountiful Music so he could pick out his new Ukulele.
Then to Cutlers for lunch and to pick out his birthday cookies.
Our Caring Cousins charity this year was Pencils of Promise (POP) so as a family we read the book by the founder called "Pencils of Promise: How an Ordinary Person can make Extraordinary Change". Soren was inspired by the stories shared in the book and decided (all on his own...no prompting from us I swear!!) to have his guests donate to the charity rather than bring gifts.
We took 6 friends + his favorite brother to Get Air for an hour of jumping fun,
then stopped by a nearby park for pizza and cookies.
I goofed and only put 8 candles on his cake....so we had to have him blow out one more!
I had to include photos taken and artistically manipulated by Byron.
9 things I adore about Soren at 9 years old:
1. His kind heart, this boy cares deeply about the feelings of others....especially his brother and sister. He just about can't stand it if anyone is sad or hurt but he jumps out of his skin if it's his brother or sister.
2. His generous heart. This guy is a gift giver, note writer, treat share-er. He LOVES to give or create gifts and surprises.
3. Music. Soren is our family DJ. He loves music so much he listens whenever he can, and often suggests songs for us to listen to. He has 90% of the songs on the radio memorized.
4. Soren is a loyal and true friend. He is like Charolette in Charolette's Web. He will listen, and help problem solve, he's got your back.
5. He loves to dance and sing. This goes along with music but his energy around music is contagious! His joy and enthusiasm changes a room...brings joy and life into it.
6. His determination in Taekwondo. This has really really pushed him this year. It's 3 days a week and it's HARD. It isn't easy to get him to go most of the time, but when he is there he puts in 100% and he walks out of class with more confidence.
7. His tenacity with 3D puzzles. This guy has always loved hand puzzles but up until lately they have been more frustrating than fun. This year with the help from Darin he figured out the 2X2, then he spent his own money on a four pack. He figured out the 3X3, the Pyraminx, and the Skewb.
8. His sense of humor. Soren is witty, and clever and his laugh is adorable. He loves telling jokes and he does it with such flare. His favorite movie this year has been Fantastic Mr. Fox...he has always loved it, but he rented it from the library again a few months ago and watched it so much he almost has it memorized. He's got great taste.
9. Soren does hard things....everyday. School and most extracurricular activities are not easy for this guy, he just doesn't love it and feels scared and worried most of the time. We are working on gratitude, re-framing, coping strategies and it's working, but it isn't easy. Everyday he gets up and faces those big overwhelming scary feelings and shows up. I admire him so much for that.
