My little guy

I was informed by my son that his picture was not on my blog. So I would be remiss if I did not hop back on today and add one. This picture is from his birthday last week. One of our family traditions is that the birthday kid gets to make his own birthday cake, icing and all! *Almost* all by themselves. They are always so proud of their creations. Christopher decided this year, he wanted his to be three layers, alternating chocolate and vanilla. We would up with a pretty significant lean on the back, and tons of frosting, but in the end a wonderful creation!

Christopher never ceases to amaze me with his ability to think out of the box. Even his cake couldn't be like a "regular" cake. I can barely believe my boy is nine. Some nights I just sit and look at him. He is still soft in a lot of places, especially his heart. But he is also becoming a "real boy". Firmer, more muscular, no longer a toddler or a little boy, but a young man. His tenderness floors me. My heart swells every time someone tells me what a sweet boy I have with such a kind heart. He is very considerate of other children's feelings. I love that someone besides me can see it.

But yet, in many many ways he is all boy. Just about a week ago, we were walking into memorylane, and the ice storm had left some beautiful icicles hanging on the eave outside the store. I pointed out, as I usually do, how pretty they were and isn't that cool? He looked up, gazed at them, and looks back at me. "Yeah, I could shoot them down." I just had to chuckle and all I could say was, "yup. You sure could."

I am so proud to say he is developing into a perfect mix of tenderness and tough. My little guy.
My dude. My buddy. Always ready to "help" and thankfully also ever ready to give a hug.