Steven 6 yrs.

For Steven's birthday this year we chose to make a Darth Vader cake (that I found the mold for at D.I. earlier this year. Score!)

How mom made it

Steven's improvements

 The night before his birthday my parents were in town so we had a little family party for those who could come for cake and ice cream and a pinata.

 One of his gifts was an adult's coloring book for him and me to do together.  He really has a knack for art and details and loves to color, we've enjoyed using them so far.

Birthday Boy!

 The day of his birthday we ate breakfast and let him open a few small gifts but what he really wanted was money! Which was perfect when Grandma and Grandpa Balls sent money. After we did chores we went to a park with some neighbors, then picked dad up for lunch and took him to walmart to use up that money!  He bought a $5 movie, some ice cream, a light up ring, and a Hulk ring pop all for $10 and has yet to spend the rest of his money. No wait, he bought a big ball after William and Ryan got one for their birthday and he paid tithing.  I think he likes to know that he has a lot of money.  That night we ate at In-n-out then bought a movie to watch at home (Jacob and I were exhausted), we put the boys to bed and let Steven stay up with us watching a show while eating treats galore.  He ended up falling asleep on our bed, I hope he had a good day.

Playing with his gift from Grandma and Grandpa Morrise

 Steven is now in first grade!  He is doing well and I'm surprised with how much retention he has from Kindergarten but has made it known that First Grade is BORING. He'd rather go to preschool with Christopher or Kindergarten, because they were more fun.  Sorry kid, you've got a long way of school ahead of you!  He does have to go early in the morning (8 a.m.) and then after he gets home we do homework before he gets to play.

Love that his school rolls out the red carpet for everyone

They blare music and make the kids feel like celebrities

 He told me he wished I homeschooled him so he could have more time to play games on the computer, I informed him he wouldn't get to play any more games than he does now, maybe less, he said he'd stay where's he's at.  He loves lunch time and recess and often comes home telling him how he got to move up on the behavior board for being a good boy and working hard.  He's doing really well, with his homework he wizzes past the math homework and has the spelling words down the first go, and is increasingly amazing me with his reading.  (as long as he's not too tired)

I think it's a hard adjustment going all day long, especially when all your playmates (brothers) are still home playing and doing fun things.  Which he has banned us from doing anything fun while he's gone.  At first I tried not to, but after a while I've learned that the younger boys need to be out doing something or they mess the house up!  So now we'll just have to work with Christopher not bragging to Steven what we do while he's gone.

Steven is such a great big brother and a good example for his little brothers, we really couldn't ask for a better first child!  His super power is telling the truth.  The week after school started Steven randomly told me that when I send him down to bed, he will watch a movie before going to bed.  He'll put the volume all the way down, so we don't hear it.  Once we're in bed, he'll turn it up so he can barely hear it; then once it's over he goes to bed, or sometimes he'll fall asleep before it's over.  REALLY!  That's why you're so tired in the morning!  Silly kid, but I am really glad he told us so we could keep an eye for it.  He is so sweet, honest, smart, and kind hearted.  We love you kid!