henry at seven

Henry's had a very big day! We started the morning with our traditional birthday muffin (though I think I might have to switch to a coffee cake or something because I'm having trouble making all the candles fit), followed by a full day of work/school. Then we scrambled to load up backpacks and get everything in the van, and we rushed over the state line to get to dinner on time.

Friends, it will be really hard to top this one. We met Johnny, Erin, Lucy, Richie, and Jesse for dinner at Benihana. The dinner was delicious, and the performance left kids and adults alike in complete awe. We even got ice cream for dessert, which Henry insisted on eating with his chopsticks. Dinner went late, and by the end, Henry was pretty wiped out and cranky. It's hard to blame him though.

At seven (barely!), our Henry is, to be frank, a little on the temperamental side. He is quick to anger, especially when he perceives any kind of slight from his dad or his brothers. He's not so bad with me, but who knows how long that mother love will last. He's hitting this stage a lot earlier than his brothers, and I am convinced that it's partly because he's spent his whole life racing to keep up with them. The other part is that sometimes being smart is hard. You might think I'm being flippant, but I'm not. By any objective measure, Henry is easily what they used to call a "gifted" kid, and he understands things all too well, including the limitations of being a kid who has to cede so much control to the adults around him. We're working on it, but that's where he's at right now.

When he's not angry, Henry is the smartest, sweetest, most engaging kid. He is interested in tons of things, from gardening to animals to stargazing to bird-watching. This year he learned how to read, and he learned how to kayak. He learned to really swim (instead of basically just playing at lessons), and now he goes off the diving board without hesitation. His latest obsession is learning how to yo-yo. His world is getting bigger all the time, and it's a genuine pleasure to watch.

You know what else is hard, though? Having two older brothers. Henry is at his best and most delightful when he can spend time with us one on one. He's engaged and interested and sharp and funny. But add a brother or two to the mix, and that mood can turn on a dime.

Speaking of things going south, tomorrow morning, Henry's taking his first flight! Well, all five of us are. We're headed to Sarasota to visit with Barb and Kevin. It will be a fun adventure, and a great way for Henry to start another exciting year. Stay tuned!