Jared's 11th Birthday

For about two weeks before Jared's birthday he was giving us a constant countdown and asking nonstop if we could celebrate early.  I told him his wait was payback for the last two weeks I was pregnant with him and had to wait!  I made him his favorite breakfast, french toast made out of cinnamon burst bread from Great Harvest and I took Dunkin Donuts to his class for his birthday treat.  But I think he was most excited for the Lego set he had asked for.  When it was time for presents I tricked him a little.  After I wrapped the Legos I put them inside a duffel bag I had bought for his football equipment and then wrapped up the duffel bag.  I think he was a little confused by the big package that obviously wasn't Legos.

Kaitlyn's present for Jared: a portrait.

Here's a look at Jared at 11.

What he likes: Legos, his iPod, football, sleeping in, cheesecake, candy, cookies, anything sweet, soccer and football jerseys, basketball shorts, The Hobbit (movie), reading (yay!  I thought this day would never come but I often have to tell him to turn out the lights and put the book away at night now), staying up late, playing with his baby brother, camping, backpacking, and fishing with his dad.

What he doesn't like: cleaning his room, bathroom, ect., going to school, waking up in the morning, running, roller coasters, wearing long pants (even in the winter), getting his hair cut, and getting his picture taken.

What I love about Jared: his smile (the real one with his teeth that he doesn't like to show for pictures anymore), his hugs (I don't get a lot of those anymore either), what a great big brother he is to Skyler (you should see Skyler's face light up when Jared walks in the room), his enthusiasm about life, and I love listening to him play the piano even if he doesn't like to do it.

The week after his birthday I sent him off to his first day at boy scouts.  I have to say I was quite sad to put away the cub scout shirt for the next seven years.  This boy is growing too fast!