Happy Birthday, Levi!

Hey folks,

Happy New Year!! I just wanted to do a quick post to wish Levi a happy 8th birthday today! We had a wonderful time celebrating with a chocolate fondue (rescheduled from New Year's Eve due to having some sick family members for a few days) and lots of gifts for our sweet little boy.

Levi came to us through foster care in February of 2016, when he was 5 weeks old. We have loved having this sweet and silly little guy as part of our family. He brings lots of smiles and laughter into our lives. It's hard to believe it's been almost 8 years since the family caboose joined us, and he's now an affectionate, dramatic, athletic, charming eight-year-old who stands almost 2 inches taller than 9-year-old brother, Samuel.

Here are some pictures from over the years, starting right away at five weeks of age!

2016: One of the first few days having Levi as part of our family

2016: Can you tell, at only 7 months of age,that this chap is made for the stage, LOL

2018: Please note the ironic statement on his shirt. True then. True now!

2019: Always hamming it up. That's our Levi. :)

2020: Sporting blue hair and fun glasses

2021: This kid is ALL muscle!

2022: School pictures with big brother

2023: Flowers from my not-so-secret admirer :). He says I'm his BFF.

And the epic chocolate fondue and sparkling water birthday supper!

The birthday boy posing with Dexter, the teddy I knit for him

And since we have tons of videos of Levi being Levi, I thought I'd share some of the family favorites that make us laugh every time.

We should have known when this happened that we had a total chatterbox on our hands. Make sure to listen to the full three minutes to get a taste of his baby vocabulary:)

When Levi was younger, he had some sensory issues and one way it was expressed was by a need to constantly have something on his head...usually a shirt, since that was conveniently always with him. He would often use these shirts (or towels, or blankets) on his head to mimic people with long-hair. (And yes, in the second video...that's a towel around his waist. Another goofy quirk that he's outgrown over the years)

Having a phone conversation with Nana, who always did a great job going along with his nonsensical jabber. Make sure to listen for his unexpected, humorous "Well, I'll be grinched!" quote from a Dr. Seuss movie. Too cute! And the facial expressions will have you in stitches! :)(Random note: We used to give toddler Levi the phone when telemarketers called...some of the results were quite funny, LOL)

Ever the athletic one, Levi learned to cartwheel at a young age....a skill I still haven't figured out. Here he is showing off both his one-handed and two-handed cartwheels.

Happy Birthday, Levi John! Keep cartwheeling through life and brightening the days of those around you. We love you more than you'll ever know!!

Until next time, God bless!