Leighton turned 12 on July 16th. Crazy to think it has been 12 years since he arrived so early and needing help breathing and having an adventurous first couple of weeks at life. No signs of those early struggles now. He had gymnastics practice early that morning and finished up practice with popsicles with his team and coach. After getting home he and I started to make cookies which was his birthday dessert request. He also opened up a couple presents from us including an ab roller and large water bottle. Since he was 12 he was finally eligible to get his COVID vaccine so that afternoon we drove over to Walgreens and he got his first shot. He is not a fan of shots and gets very anxious with them, but he did a good job of being brave despite a little hyperventilating during the process. The tech giving him his shot even commented, “wow, he really tensed up with that didn’t he”. After getting home he spoke with Clint’s parents and enjoyed that time. Then he was goofy with his brothers and dressed up just for fun. For dinner he requested pesto pasta, kielbasa, fruit salad and veggies. My parents joined us for dinner and after dinner and his cookies he opened 2 gifts from them. The first was a brick and some sticks as it is the running joke with my parents and the kids that they are going to get bricks and sticks for their birthdays. Then he opened a study Bible which he has been asking for. After dinner we sent him on a hunt to find his gift from us which wasn’t really all that well hidden, it was under a blanked in our room. But it was large and that was the best we could do. He uncovered a weight set which he was very excited about as were his siblings and he quickly got them all doing weights which was funny to watch. Leighton you are a joy in our lives, I love your kind and thoughtful heart and care for others and hard work. Happy birthday buddy.
Hiking Mommy 