Another Journey Around the Sun Begins

A certain someone in our house turned 8 this weekend. It has been a wonderful time of story telling, celebration and general happiness around here.

The Big Explorer has had a lot of firsts since turning 7. For one thing, he’s been sharing his thoughts and opinions more around this blog (which you can read here and here)!

Here are a few more highlights from the last year:

• First visit to a Christmas Tree farm 
• First Monster Truck rally
• First time picking oranges 
• First car accident (with mom driving, that is – though it wasn’t her fault!)
• First time snow tubing 
• First time sleeping in a teepee (and ziplining!)
• First time on an aircraft carrier (the USS Midway in San Diego)
• First time seeing the Golden Gate Bridge 
• First time exploring caves 
• First time sleeping in a caboose 
• First time riding on a cable car
• First time watching live musical theater
• First whale watching adventure

Although we do spend a lot of time adventuring in these parts, The Big Explorer is still a pretty typical kid.

To give you a glimpse into the complete person I see every day – and not just the kid who spends time outside exploring nature – I thought I’d share his responses to 20 questions I asked him on his 8th birthday. (The comments added in brackets are mine and just for clarification.) Enjoy!

What is your favorite color? Red 

What is your favorite toy? Bumblebee [a Transformer for those of you not in the know]  

What is your favorite thing about your brother? He shares [Really? Are we talking about the same kid???]

What is your favorite TV show or movie? Cars 2

What is your favorite thing to eat? Pasta

What is your favorite piece of clothing? My NHRA green shirt

What is your favorite game? Mario Kart 7

What’s your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my scooter

What is your favorite animal? A kitty

What is your favorite song? “You Might Think” [the Weezer version, that is]

What is your favorite book? Transformers Prime graphic novel

Who is your best friend? [My lips are sealed!]

Where is your favorite place to go? Legoland

What is your best memory from being 7? My 7th birthday party [when dad coordinated a spy mission for him & his friends]

What’s one thing you’re really good at? Reading

What does Daddy do at work? He makes ads [kinda, sorta, almost]

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bumblebee & my car blanket

What is your favorite subject in school? Science

What would you like to learn more about now that you're 8? Karate

What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist

I look forward to many more grand adventures in the year ahead.