There’s lots of celebrating to be done when you turn 9!! Maxwell’s birthday celebrations started the day before when Mrs. Susan stopped by with gifts for all! She’s the best!

Maxwell woke up the next morning as a nine year old to, what else? I giant cinnamon roll 9!

It was then off to school in his new AL shirt from Susan.

Samantha and I then met him for lunch (which should be called brunch because he eats at 10:30am!) and took these awesome cookies for his class…

After school he and Robert tried to go hit golf balls but the driving range was closed so then it was time for presents!

It’s good to be Maxwell – golf clubs, a pocket knife, money, baseball cards, books, gold chains…yep, that’s right. Gold chains! Someone is putting together his Halloween costume!

That night it was dinner at the Lindo, of course, and then back home for cookies ‘n cream ice cream cake. YUM!

It’s good to be Maxwell and it’s good to be nine!!

Today is Maxwell’s birthday!! NINE!!!!!! Nine just seems so old…too old for my sweet baby boy!

Just born…

One year old…

Two years old…

Three years old…

Four years old…

Five years old…

Six years old…

Seven years old…

Eight years old…

and now NINE!!

Nine and yes, we’re all feeling fine! Especially Maxwell! He’s good, good kid and we love to be around him. He’s thriving in school and even got into the gifted program. His teacher just emailed me this week to say how much she’s enjoyed having him in class so far this year and how conscientious he is! He’s super loyal to his great friends and is friends with everyone. He loves to explore outside with the neighborhood kids and ride his bike as far as we’ll let him! He’s smart and curious and inquisitive – sometimes a little too inquisitive! He can hear anything you say and will ask you about it! He’s always listening and that will serve him well in life.

I’ve said it before, I don’t know how I got so lucky to get a kid like him but I sure am thankful. I love him for his kind heart, his sweet personality, and his curious questions. What a kid!

As always, Maxwell is happiest with a ball in his hands. He’s playing fall baseball and has recently taken up golf and tennis! He’s really been enjoying the golf lessons and even got a full set of clubs as an early birthday present. In fact, the collar shirts in these pics is only because he was on his way to golf lessons! I’ll take it!!

I wrote this last year for his 8th birthday but it still applies to a T – He’s the very best big brother around. He and Spencer fight like junkyard dogs and drive me crazy many days. Pretty sure no one can exasperate Maxwell more than his baby bro! But they also love each other and watch out for each other. Maxwell loves loves loves Samantha and would hug her all day and night if she let him. She never lets him! ha! While our house is always loud and crazy, I am increasingly more and more thankful that they all have each other and that Spencer and Samantha have such an outstanding big brother like Maxwell to lead them through life…even if his tolerance for photos is low these days! ha!

A few questions for my big nine year old:

Favorite book? White Fang
Favorite TV show? Garfield
Favorite movie? the new Lion King
Favorite color? White
Favorite song? Girls Like You
Favorite number? 29 and 2
Favorite restaurant? Moe’s
Favorite thing to eat? Moe’s
Favorite friend? Max, Butler, and Jack
Favorite toy? Bike
Favorite dessert? Brownies
Favorite sport? Football and baseball
What do you want to be when you grow up? Braves center field player!

It simply doesn’t get better than this kid. I’m so so proud of him and love him so much. Happy birthday, Maxwell. NINE!!!