Seven.

As in, that's what my kid is. Today. Henry is seven. Seven! I know.

A few weeks ago we were in the grocery store and he picked up a "7" candle. "Let's get this for my birthday cake," he said.
"No," I said. "I can't buy that. That, you see, is a 7."
"But that's what I'll be!" he said.
"I'm sorry. I just can't do it. Let's get two 3's and a 1!" I suggested.
"Mooooooom," he said. And threw the 7 into the cart. He's seven, after all. He doesn’t put up with my bullshit.

It appears that I must face facts: he's turning into a big kid. He calls me "Mom," now. I've caught him rolling his eyes at me. He insists that he's too old to hold my hand (then almost immediately forgets and grabs for me, and we walk like that for blocks before he remembers). He calls for me in a crowd by shouting "Alice Bradley!" He races me to the curb, and he wins. (Which, okay, isn't saying much, as I am not exactly known for my speed.) We play card games, and he lets me win. He is long-limbed and his baby teeth are falling out far too quickly for my taste and he is reading and writing and humming improvised soundtracks for his Bionicle and Lego adventures and drawing these intricate, complicated schematics that I can't begin to figure out.

He is astounding. I am telling you this completely objectively and not at all because I'm his mother. Look, I don't want to put down your kids, I'm sure they're super, but it's highly possible that I have the Greatest Child in the Universe. Anecdotal evidence strongly supports my theory, is all I'm saying. Although I have yet to conduct an extensive study. I'm going to have to look into some funding.

So far it's been a good birthday. Last weekend we had a slumber party, which we're still recovering from. (Mama's getting old and doesn't handle that sleep-deprivation thing all that well, turns out.) This morning there were pancakes and a couple of Star Wars-themed gifts. We were awarded a group hug for those. After school he's getting a Legos set and Battleship and a Calvin and Hobbes book. Don't tell him, though, it's a surprise.

Next year, he tells me, he's going to be eight. He's already making plans. I keep telling him to slow down, but he just smiles that crazy toothless smile at me, and barrels ahead.

Comments

[Karin]

I have read your blog for ages and never posted before. Today is my son's 7th birthday as well and so much of what you describe is so very familiar. I am totally enjoying this age and the amazing person my son is becoming.

Although, we might have to agree that there are two Greatest Children in the Universe.

[Lou]

Happy B-Day to H! And you should think your kid is THE BEST ... every parent should, so go ahead. :)

[Shwendels]

WOW! I can't believe how fast it all goes... Turns out all those grownups were right. Still, I have this vivid memory of Henry at 9 months, sitting in his stroller and sucking on my water bottle, and it feels like a few minutes ago. Happy Birthday Henry!! Love, Auntie Shwendels

[Erin @ Fierce Beagle]

He sounds uncannily like my husband. Even the interest in Legos and StarWars. Although I'm happy to report that my husband has teeth.

[Katie]

AW! Happy Birthday to Henry! And buck up there, cause I think I'm seeing my future.

[Lawyerish]

Man. Seven! Happy birthday to Henry, who, by all accounts, does appear to be a pretty freakin' great kid.

[Erica]

As I read your blog for the first time, I am cradling my nearly three month old son in my arms. I am so excited to see him grow but terrified as well because of what you are now experiencing. I know that it is all part of this game of parenting but I'd like a time out. :)

[Sarah]

Happy birthday to Henry, may the Force be with him.

[Trina]

I feel exactly the same way about my six and a half year old son. I keep telling him to stop getting so old, so quickly. He just drew some intricate, complex drawing last night. It was better than anything I could have drawn. His teeth are falling out faster than a lot of his friends. And mine is VERY tall. He looks eight. I want him to be three again, for about ten years. He tells me that it's impossible, kind of in a "get a grip" voice. I'm sure you know the tone well.

[miss. chief]

today is MY birthday too...and i'm 27. so uh, you know. samesies? sortof?

no?

i don't know. but i like your idea for researching whether or not you have the greatest kid in the universe. i'll totally fund it. with hugs!

[Christina (Apron Strings)]

Seven! Holy cow.

[Marcy]

Oh my goodness... I know I'll be freaking out as well when my kid's getting that old, but the mention of Calvin and Hobbes makes me all of a sudden not able to wait to get to share such brilliance with my own child.

Happy Birthday, Henry!!! =)

[Peggasus]

A tip: hold on to all those candles! I gave mine to my cousin (they only burn for a minute, after all) and then had to go buy them again when all I really needed was to put the '1' in front of them when they turned 12, and 13 and so on. And oh yes, that time does go quickly by...

They're still into Star Wars? Mine was too at that age, but he's now seventeen! I loved seven. Happy B-day to Henry!

[Larissa]

Your post reminds me of a friend of mine's kid who's around the same age as Henry. He reads far above his grade level and is really into Calvin and Hobbes. Apparently he made some cavalier remark about death in class and the teacher, very concerned, called in my friend and her husband for a serious discussion. They ask what he said, teacher repeats it and they both start laughing hysterically - it was a line from Calvin and Hobbes. Not sure if the teacher was relieved or more concerned...:)

[cartoongoddess]

Happy birthday Henry! Seven has been pretty good for us so far.

[Twice Five Miles]

This made me smile and broke my heart all at the same time.

[Heather Ann]

Love that he calls for you by your full name. Happy birthday, Henry!

[Erika]

I'm with you. My daughter turns 7 (aack, I said it!) in March--but we had the first of her friends' bday parties at the beginning of September, and I nearly lost it. Wait! She can't have friends turning 7!

I think maybe I'll introduce Calvin & Hobbes. We'll see...

[Beth in SF]

Haha it's so adorable how kids just want to be older and older and older and then somewhere around 25 we're all like...ok birthday it'd be cool if you didn't come back for a few years...

Happy birthday to Henry!

[Caitorade]

But, but, but, like, YESTERDAY I was reading your post about him turning 5!

Of course, I also freaked out when I turned 23 on Monday, because you know, inside I am 7.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1188785196]

"Alice Bradley!"

That just made my day.

[Aunt Becky]

Happy Birthday, sweet boy. I hear 7 is the new 6.

[whoorl]

Seven.

Wow.

Happy Birthday, Henry!

[Anais]

I LOVE Calvin & Hobbes. I own the entire collection. It's so great that he's into them. =D

Happy Birthday, Henry!

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

You mean they eventually stop holding your hand?

Argh.

Happy Birthday Henry.

[Kirsty]

You're in luck! Seven is a great year (my daughter will be 8 at Christmas, so we only have not-quite-three-months left, though I'm hopeful about 8 too)! And my daughter is the youngest in her class (French schools work on a calendar year thing, so being born on 27 December, she's always the youngest more or less) so she has friends who'll be turning 9 in January. Gulp.
But I still have my littley, who's not quite 5 and a half, and I pretty much like 5 too...
Happy Birthday, Henry, and have fun being 7!

[Phoe]

I love that you got him a Calvin and Hobbes book. You gotta raise 'em up right.

[Asha Dornfest]

Congrats on 7! There's no more denying that they're actual KIDS at this point, not just overgrown babies, huh?

[erin]

Wasn't he just 4? Geez. How dare they just skip years?

[Chookooloonks]

Happy Birthday to your beautiful boy. :)

K.

[Brooke]

Damn girl, I loved your blog before, but now I just want to hug you and send you cakes in the mail.

[aimee greeblemonkey]

7 on the 7th, that's cool.

Declan says "Welcome to 7, Henry!"

Well, he would have if I hadn't just put him to bed.

[Debi]

Gah - I remember when you wrote a letter to "Four." Happy Birthday Henry!

[mfk]

This is his STAR BIRTHDAY. I am not sure if you are aware of the concept of STAR BIRTHDAYS but they were exceptionally important to me when I was a kid (thus the caps). (yeah 6 on the 6th!) In any case, he deserves an extra hug for that :)

I can't believe he is seven. holy crap. and he sounds adorable and reminds me of my little brother when he was seven. Said brother is now 21, and done losing teeth, and doing god knows what unspeakable things at college. Enjoy seven!!

[Be Like The Squirrel, Girl]

Oh, I read this and wanted to cry. Happy Birthday, Henry. Now be a good boy and STOP GROWING.

[Nadia]

It's his golden birthday!
It's mine today as well.
Happy birthday to Henry.

[Rachael]

Happy Birthday to Henry! I am in denial mine will EVER turn seven. Or five. Or four. Nope.

[Alexandra]

Happy birthday, Henry!

7 is a fantastic age...they still want to play with you, and do things with you, and think you're the best.

Actually, any age they're in is the best...I have a 14 yr old who is wonderful, a 13 yr old who charms me, and a 7 yr old who is my best bud.

They're all fun. A wise mom told me, when I was lamenting them growing up" "yes, the old days are gone, but the new ones up ahead are so very much fun. You'll like the person they become..."

[Michelle]

Mine's seven and already talking about eight. STOP IT, with all the growing!

Happy Bday, Henry!

[Taylor at Household Management 101]

Happy birthday to your son. Seven is a special year (or at least it has been so far for my daughter, who will turn the big 8 soon -- I can't believe it!) They grow up so fast, don't they?

I had to laugh at you saying you may have the best child in the world, because I know we all understand we as Mom's think this way, but I too secretly think --- but I really know my kids are the best, and it must just be everyone else that is delusional! :)

[Amira @ DefineMature.com]

Firstly, Happy Birthday Henry!

Secondly, this growing up business that they do...yeah, I'm not much of a fan either. My son will be a year -ONE WHOLE YEAR OLD- in two months and frankly I just might vomit.

It's happening way too fast.

[Matt]

My own son is nearly 7 as well. He too is "too big" for holding hands on the way to school, when he remembers. Is it weird your post made me a little wistful? Particularly as I was listening to Led Zeppelin's Bron-Yr-Aur at the time?

[heather]

Mine will be 7 in December, and it was like you were reading my mind. Loved Henry's crazy dancing vimeo, from months back, I think ours would be great friends if we were near. My Sagittarius knows no strangers and loves star wars and legos!

[Cindy]

I told my husband just the other day that we would never age if our friends didn't have kids. You mean that kid is already (enter age here)?! Gah!

Hope he has had a fantastic day.

[steph]

Mine's almost 13 and making plans for when she turns 18 so, yeah.

[Rae]

Enjoy it while it lasts. All too soon he will become a teenager and that wunderkind will turn into something you don't recognize as your spawn. Do I sound bitter? Nah, just someone whose been there.

[dagwood]

oh dear. My 8 year old just discovered Calvin and Hobbes. Prepare yourself.

(and Happy Birthday Henry!)

[TJ]

I don't feel old enough for all the bloggers I've been reading for years to have kids as old as 7. (I've read your blog forever. Like, ever. I used to write a different blog. You probably wouldn't remember it. That's cool.) And I don't think I'm even that old. But when you put it in terms of Henry, I am TWENTY YEARS OLDER THAN HENRY. Oh, my back aches.

[Charli-tan]

Oh, Happy Birthday, Henry!
8 is just as heartbreaking. Also, "He's 7 and doesn't put up with my bullshit" had me laughing all day at inappropriate times. Something my 8 year old now rolls his eyes at. LOL!

[Aidan Donnelley Rowley]

Seven is such a good age. Oddly, I remember being seven very well and being quite devastated to turn eight. On my eighth birthday, my mother asked me why I seemed sad and I said, "I don't know. It's just that I loved being seven and I will never be seven again."

Happy birthday to your boy!