Lucky number SEVEN!

I can't believe that it's been 7 years since we welcomed this little guy into our family.

In some ways, it feels like yesterday. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime. I can't remember life before him!

He is definitely our most strong-willed and opinionated child. He pushes the limits, throws fits, and doesn't take no for an answer. He's been a pill today, and every time I call him on it, he replies "It's my birthday, I'm supposed to do whatever I want to!" Think again buster...

Grant is incredibly bright and has great number sense. He can do mental math no problem and is constantly telling me how many more or less something is than something else, or how many minutes/days/hours until something is happening. Reading and writing has been a bit more of a challenge for him. He finally caught on to reading this past spring—it was like a lightbulb just went off in his little brain. But he HATES writing. We've been practicing over the summer.

He has no volume switch. I can hear him coming from a mile away.

Towards the end of swim season, the boys mentioned they'd like to make a switch to Speedos.
Jack has only worn his in the backyard.
Grant wears his every chance he gets!

He has enough personality for 10 kids. Seriously, the kid cracks us up all the time with his antics.

This was his "crazy" costume for swim team champs. He wore it proudly!

He is good at expressing gratitude. He thanks me for his meals daily, and his words are usually accompanied by a hug.

He doesn't like kisses. Hugs are okay, but he doesn't like me to kiss him. I try and sneak in a kiss on the forehead at night, but he usually wipes it right off!

He goes shirtless as much as possible. Seriously. He was named "Most likely to be shirtless" at the swim team banquet. He nearly ripped his dress shirt off on his way up to claim his award!

He adores his brother and sister. He and Jack have given each other the nickname of "Bubs Chubs" and it cracks me up when Jack is irritated with Grant for some reason and Grant will say "But Jack, I'm your 'Bubs Chubs'!"

Even though he is the source of most of my gray hairs, I wouldn't trade this boy for the world.

Happy Birthday Grant...we love you!