To my 7 year old..... Happy Birthday Cooper

To the boy whole stole my heart 7 years ago, who changed the very core of who I thought I was, the boy who calls me mumma and wraps his arms around me and whispers I love you, to Cooper, Happy birthday.

This year you have grown so much, not just in height (but boy did you shoot up) but as a big brother and a friend. You still remain as loyal as a Labrador to you friends, sticking by them, standing up for them and resolving conflict for them. For you at 7, everything revolves around your friends, for me, you at 7 means running around arranging play dates, constantly in contact with other mums, chasing you between sporting commitments and packing mountains of food in your lunch box. For you at 7 it looks like Minecraft, BEGGING for Fortnight (but mum always saying no), iPad games, PS4 Infinity, nature documentaries, bikes, skateboards, footballs, Raiders, soccer and reading……. So much reading. You are smart. Gosh kid you are smart, you solves maths problems easily, and I often find myself giving you work a year above your level as homework just to keep it challenging. You can finish a book with easy before bed time and you absorb information like a sponge. While you still may be kind and sensitive you are also getting braver and more confident. School has helped you grow immensely, your teachers always tell me that you are an empathetic class leader and are always offering assistance to those that need it. You are in your element playing football and soccer and I just love watching you develop your skills and friendships outside of school.

You insisted on a minecraft cake for your party

You love to talk, every little detail that pops into your head comes out your mouth, but that’s what 7 is about. Poppy tells me you like the comfort of your sister when you stay at their place without us, you’ve always been more careful and considerate of your environment without us, I know one day that won’t be the case, so for now I enjoy that you take comfort still in my warm hugs.

Watching you and your brothers fills my heart. You’re not a full on as your sister is with them, but those moments I catch you playing trains with them, reading them stories and making them laugh fill my soul with joy. They could not have a better role model than you.

The bond you and your dad have melts my heart, he may be tougher on you than Zoe, but you are his absolute pride and joy, when you tackle hard, run hard and pedal fast he beams. When you play wrestle the belly laughs fill the house and it fills his heart.

Our lives changed when you were born, you made us different people, taught us to believe in something bigger and everything you do makes our lives richer. I love you with every fibre of my being. I smile when you are happy and cry when you are sad. I am loving every minute of being your mum, relishing the moments that I know won’t last forever. Happy birthday Cooper. We couldn’t be prouder of you.

Sometimes as a mum you only have time for a store bought cake and
smarties to decorate but you know whats great,
he couldn't have been happier. Whats even more beautiful is that he chose
this cake, because he knew his dad would eat some too.

 At 7 you:

Love – Going to Raiders games, hanging with your friends, iPad games, Reading, your grandparents visiting, Forster Holidays, Wrestling with your dad, LEGO and laughing at the twins when they copy you.

Hate – Capsicum, Onion, when Zoe won’t let you have a moment’s peace, going to bed at 7, waiting for Zoe to finish dancing and the smell of the boys nappies.

Play – Football for U7 Blue Warriors, Soccer for the Foxes, BMX at Canberra BMX club,

Your favourite food is – Nachos, Spag bol, Roast Chicken Legs and Berry crumble with yoghurt.

Your best friends are – Liam Carter, Lewis Kelsey and Paxton Cordwell

You have lost 5 teeth.

You are 129.5cm tall

You weigh 27 kilos