Dane

Today is Dane's 7th birthday!

Dane was our second great grandchild and also second great grandson.

He is a very important part of this large family,

a very important part of this smaller, but still large family,

and a very important part of this even smaller but still large family.

I wrote about Dane on his birthday last year and visiting that blog post will show links to all his previous posts.  Together there will be lots of stories about him and pictures showing how he's changed since he was born so I'll just post a few pictures here.

and talk about what's been going on in his life during the past year.  First of all, he became a big brother again!  Knox was born last October

and Dane has been a loving big brother to him ever since.

Since his last birthday he started first grade and finished first grade with flying colors.  He got great marks and lots of praise from his teacher for being so well behaved.

In other firsts, he lost his first 4 baby teeth,

He got his first stitches,

and he caught his first big fish!

No, not that one.  THIS ONE!!

Also, after a family vacation to Splash Universe this year, he's becoming a very good swimmer

which is not surprising because he's always been very athletic - with a special interest in baseball from the get-go

which has not diminished as he's gotten older.

And in coming events, for the first time, he, Aubrey, and Jack will be going to the same school this fall.

So Dane has had a busy year and it's easy to get a sense of the kind of boy he is but just in case I didn't make it clear enough, I have to add that he is a very special kind of kid.  He's so loving and caring to his brothers and sisters that it melts my heart.  And he's considerate and thoughtful too.  As we said good-bye last weekend after celebrating his birthday at his grandparents' campsite, he hugged me and thanked me for the birthday cake.  What a sweetie!

Also, he's very helpful, creative,

and smart.  After all, he was the first of all the littles to learn how to make a proper paper airplane.

For all these reasons and so many others, we're wishing him the best birthday EVER and a happy year ahead filled with learning and surprises and many more accomplishments!  Happy Birthday, Dane! We love you so much!