My Doodle is 8 with a free Clemson party

From the first time I saw your chubby little face and chunky legs, I was in love.

Eight years ago, almost to the hour, I met you and I loved you right then. You have a smile that lights up a room.

He has always had me.

Shepherd, you are pretty amazing.  I love how you are a mystery to people who dont know you well.  You are not an open book.  Often when you are sad, you disappear.  You dont easily open up, but when its just you and me, you will tell me about your life.  And, boy, you can make me laugh.  You have an adult's sense of humor which ironically many adults dont quite understand. 

You still love to play with toys.  You love legos, Minecraft, Pokemon (yuk), Power Rangers.  But, the thing you spend the most time doing is arts and crafts- from coloring to writing to drawing, you can spend hours at the kitchen table or at your desk lost in your creative world.  It makes me smile.

You are sooo smart.  I fear you are not being challenged this year but I am not quite sure what to do about that. 

You are pretty laid back unless Ashton is around and he has way of pressing your buttons (he has the effect on all of us :)  You bellow STOP at him and it drives us all crazy.  Besides the whines with Ashton, you are easy.

You had a great soccer season.  Everyone saw a drastic improvement in your play and confidence.  You are excited to play basketball this season as well.  Though you are not fast, you are started to use your mind to  make up for it (which will definitely serve you better in the long run (no pun intended))

For your birthday...
One of your buddies, Connor, spent the night last night.  You, Connor, and Ashton had a quite time. 

These three have been friends since Shepherd was 6 months old

Even though you are not a football fan at this point in your life, we all went to the Clemson football game today.  I convinced you, we were not going to watch a football game as much as we were going to hang out with Owen, Caelum. and Connor.  We had a great of 9 kids (and 6 adults) and conquered the Clemson game and ate at yummy lunch/ dinner at Joe's Pizza!

So proud of these boys.  The minute the National Anthem started, they all immediately stopped playing football (without being told) and put their hand to their hearts.  Unfortunately, I snapped the picture right when Connor dropped the ball but I was proud of them

Bennett and Caelum exploring a helicopter - It was military appreciation day

Great crew of boys 

Love this picture- Connor is literally in mid air while clapping along with the band

No words for this crazy kid

Listening to the Tiger band

Just call them photogenic

Parachutes coming into stadium

Watching the balloons and parachuters

Mantis photo bombs the kid picture with bunny ears 

Queenie in her element!

Love this funny ornery little thing!

This is trouble though really cute trouble

Pretty Miss Eva

These guys would play football all day!

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Party 1- Last weekend, you spent the night (by yourself) with Mantis and Queenie.  You had your annual shopping/ eating trip.  When I came to pick you up, you had made yourself a birthday cake with Queenie so we started celebrating a week early.

Happy Birthday to you!

Party 2- you opened all your presents and blew out candles the day before your birthday

Power Ranger cupcakes that may or may not have looked like power rangers :/ 

Presents... we got a lot of fun stuff... Kid is wearing a size 6 shoe!

Party 3- When we got back from the game, we did a quick Happy Birthday song and cupcakes again because it was your actual birthday!

My big 8 year old!

9 kids enjoying cupcakes

I think you had a really fun day.  You have spent the last hour coloring with metallic markers (in the Ridiculous coloring book) that Aunt Anna got for you. 

Shepherd, shine on kid.  You have so much change this year.  For a introvert, that can be hard, but you have handled it all beautifully.  I am so proud of you and thankful to call you my kid!  We are reading the Prince Warriors/ Armor of God books and you LOVE them.  Remember to equip yourself daily with these pieces of armor.  Stand firm!

I love you with all my heart!
~Mom

PS- Just one example of Shep's random funniness.  While I am doing this blog, he is coloring behind me and says.... "You know how Moses and I are the same?  We both are competitive, like to be scratched, and we LOVE butter."  haha- If only I could spend a few hours inside his head, I bet it would hysterical!

Happy 8th Birthday Shep-a-doodle!