HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!

Matthew turned 7 years old on Sunday.

Things are really tight this year so there was no big “party”. We had a small gathering of neighborhood kids and kept it very low key. I had felt so guilty all week knowing that we weren’t going to be able to have a big to do somewhere. (It didn’t help matters when I ended up getting sick with some stomach bug on Saturday night.) But as the day progressed my feelings of guilt became obsolete. Matthew had a ball and enjoyed his small party at home. He’s a real trooper! We had talked to him about not having a big party this year weeks ago and he took it very well. He said no big deal. We usually spend so much on birthday parties it isn’t funny. By the time you get the entertaining place, cake, decorations (some places don’t provide them with their party packages), and of course goody bags it can run pretty high. The only thing I bought this year was the cake. Everything else I already had from previous parties. It’s funny how you can improvise when you have to. I saved a lot of money this year. We have two more birthdays in the coming weeks (Jan 4th Jenna, Jan 5th Thomas) and both of them know that there will be no big parties, I just hope they have as much fun with their small celebration as Matthew did. It really was a joyful day.

My baby is 7 years old! Oh my gosh! He’s growing up so quick. I am so proud of him and love him dearly!