EIGHT

Will turned eight this past week. He is big. And wonderful. And twice June's age, which comes up often in conversation.

We spent his birthday in the mountains: biking, wandering around a gorgeous park and garden, walking in the river, eating good food. In fact, that's what I want for my birthday.

Will paves the path in our family, for his sisters, and sometimes for his parents, too. He likes lots of freedom, lots of responsibility and lots of food, but lots of family and home time, too. He's a true Cancer.

Will has many lists in his notebook du jour, which capture his state of mind as he enters his 8th year:

• All the Greek Monsters
• Names of characters for his upcoming book
• Chapter names for his Harry Potter / Percy Jackson spin-off book
• Books he'd like to read for the remainder of the year
• Potions
• Places he has been in his life
• Greek Mythology Class topics (to teach his family)
• Instructions for the tennis / bean-bag / basketball game he invented
• Instructions for the rock magnet game he invented
• Ideas for painting the ocean in his room (yes, the ongoing project)

Will is getting bigger, as evidenced by his feet (see below), but he's just right. And we love him completely.