Tommy Toodles--last year before double digits!

Tommy got to be the star student in school the day before he turned 8.  He worked hard on a wonderful poster that told quite a bit about himself.  He spent some time talking about one of his heroes--his Grandpa Halvorsen.  He also showed a video of himself playing the piano.  On his birthday he and Owen sang in the school Christmas program.  It was a beautiful night of music and there were so many wonderful arrangements, both religious and secular.  James and I enjoyed it so much!  Tommy got to be a part of a small group of singers for the Aussie Jingle Bells song.  He is enjoying singing more and more.  He's been involved with a neighbourhood choir and had an opportunity to sing Christmas music at the legislature and in some other venues as well.  His choir just sang a really neat number in the lobby of the movie theatre prior to watching the new Star Wars movie.  

Nottingham Children's Choir

For his birthday we had some friends over for supper and cake.  Tommy chose to have a pool cake and then James took the boys swimming.  I think Tommy got pretty spoiled for his special bday--9 on the 9th.  For myself I can't believe it has been 9 years since we had a new little Christmas baby.   He's growing up to be such a strong, confident individual.  

The candy canes are the ladder, the licorice pieces are the noodles and tubes, etc.  The wafers are the outside of the outdoor pool...make sense?  I had to explain it to everyone at the party too--its okay.  :-)

Tommy got this card from his Grandma Spencer for his birthday--it is a good representation of Tommy's mixed emotions.  He described it as, "I really think George is cute and that makes me feel like the lamb, but sometimes I am mad at George and then I really feel the lion in me!"

He battles with his "inner vinegar" still at times, but is learning to control himself.  Yesterday when we were practicing piano together he had quite a few bursts of punching couch pillows and jumping around the room yelling out his vinegar.  By the end I was ready to let some of my vinegar out!

He drew a picture of Jesus for his primary teacher and reported that "she almost started crying when she saw it."  He had a hard time drawing it and got pretty frustrated at one point. He almost gave up, but after having a little cry he was ready to try again. 

I don't know what I love the most--the ants crawling up the tree or Jesus--if I were the teacher I would also cry.  :-)

His favourite part of the Star Wars movie was when Finn gives a thumbs up and BB8 returns it with his own version--a small flame.  He thought the movie was pretty funny and also scary and also sad. After the show he got to go to his friend Joel's house for his birthday.  Joel is Owen's friend too.  He and his sister live nearby and so all four walk home from school together.  Sometimes they get playing in the snow or in the woods on the way home and get home pretty late.  I love how Tommy runs into the house, starving, with bright red cheeks ready to be kissed--if I can catch him!

He got to be Olaf for gym on his last day of school--he was the volunteer that everyone else wrapped toilet paper around.  He is a goof!  I wasn't surprised at all that he volunteered for that.  

When we all nearly froze to death at the nearby outdoor rink (we went on too cold of a day), he was the only one not cold.  He reportedly felt, "like it was summer!"  

Each day he is so busy and energetic that he ends the days with sweaty socks and dirty clothes.  He is a true boy who rides the ups and downs of his childhood with confidence and courage.  We sure love this twinkly-eyed boy!