Number one twice

Right after we came home from our Disneyland trip, Ben had a birthday and turned 11.  My sister-in-law told me that my brother's favorite number is 11, because not only do you get to be number one, but you get to be number one TWICE!  I thought that was a pretty good way to describe Ben right now, because he is pretty awesome (not to mention my most loyal blog reader!)  So here is a shout out to Ben for his birthday--even if it is a bit late.  (I just can't stand to do things out of order on this blog, and since the trip was before his birthday, I had to post trip pictures first.)

Happy Birthday Ben!  We love you and are so glad you are in our family!

It was finally Ben's turn to get his fleece blanket.  So far, I have made fleece blankets for Sarah, Rachel, and Kate, so when Ben's birthday was approaching, I knew just what he needed.  Blankets from mom are filled with love.

It was a birthday full of blankets, because he was also lucky enough to get a quilt from Grandma Hales.  She is making queen-size quilts for each of her grandchildren, and this year Ben got one.  It is beautiful.  He loves it, and realizes the tender love and kindness which went into it.  Here he is reading the letter that came with it. 

 Ben also got a baseball bat and baseball bag, a new watch, and a game. 

 Ben picked his favorite dessert, chocolate cheesecake pie. 

We had his birthday dinner a few days later on Sunday, since we just couldn't quite pull of the elaborate menu on a busy weekday.  He chose steak, homemade rolls, green beans, and cream cheese mashed potatoes.

Here are eleven things about Ben right now:

1.  Ben is a hard worker.  He takes on jobs that may seem too hard for him, and does them well.

2.  Ben loves math.  He is in 5th grade, but working on 7th grade math.  Math concepts come easy to him and he thinks in a very analytical way.

3.  Ben is mischievous.  He likes to play tricks on people.

4.  Ben is a good big brother.  He plays with William and teaches him all sorts of things.

5.  Ben likes sports.  Most sports come pretty easy to him, and he enjoys playing and watching sports, especially playing on a team.  He just started baseball again, and is really enjoying it.

6.  Ben is a realist.  He doesn't really like to pretend.  Okay, not at all. 

7.  Ben loves to read fantasy novels.  His favorite series are Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and he has read each book in those series multiple times.  He is currently reading the Mysterious Benedict Society, and loving it.

8.  Ben practices the piano every day without being asked.

9.  As long as he is in a familiar place, Ben likes to talk.  He keeps getting in trouble at school for talking out of turn and "shouting across the classroom."  (That is what his last parent communication said.)

10.  Ben's favorite foods are chocolate cheesecake pie, pasta, pizza, crepes, and anything with parmesan cheese, but he doesn't like lemon bars, any kind of jam, and strawberry pie. 

11.  Ben is awesome!  I'm so glad I get to be his mom!