Seven Facts: Dec at 7

I thought I'd mark the auspicious occasion of Dec turning seven with seven fun facts about the dude ... only one month after his actual birthday. 

Fact 1: Dec's seven year well check went great. He is a completely typical Vanneste child - long and lean. Dr. H told him to continue to work on eating more veggies (he's not a fan), keep up the good work on fruit (he is a big fan), and to stay wonderfully active and healthy. He was almost 45 lbs (17th percentile) and 47.5" (42nd percentile). Of note, his feet are suddenly so big - so I really think there is an imminent growth spurt.

Fact 2: When D's final report card for 1st grade came, so did the results from his first attempt at standardized tests. Dec always tells us he's smart, which makes us laugh [apparently there is no humbleness to a third baby]. Turns out, D was right. His reading has just taken off and his test scores really showed how much he has gravitated towards books. And math has always come naturally to him. He says he likes reading better, but also seems to like the challenge of math problems. 

Due to the current Harry Potter obsession in the house, he is trying the first book again and is slowly but surely picking his way through it. He's highly motivated and enjoys it. There are just so many big words when you are seven. However, Auntie gave him Harry Potter glasses and a Gryffindor scarf for his birthday, so he can dress the part while he reads (or watches the movies). 

[Fun related fact: through very unscientific methods, we have determined that the Hogwarts House for each of the Vs ... Hufflepuff: Quinn; Ravenclaw: Fiona and me; Gryffindor: Dec and Mike. Although Auntie isn't entirely sure Q wouldn't end up in Slytherin ... ]

Fact 3: All Declan wanted for his birthday was a fish. He's quite honestly been talking about it non-stop since we had the offer accepted on this house. Today, at long last (he's been really patient while we got our bearings after the move), we went to the pet store and bought ... a tank. Apparently you need to nitrogenize the water for a few days before you put the fish in. So there is a brand new tank in his bedroom with all the special rocks he's been collecting in it. And later this week, we'll go get a few guppies to live in it.

Fact 4: If you want to know anything about any animal, ask Dec. For real. I fact-check him all the time (he has very odd facts) and he is rarely wrong. One morning, I swear he told me three dozen facts about jellyfish before I could make my coffee. Which is impressive because 1) making coffee doesn't take that long and 2) how are there THAT many facts about jellyfish!??!?! Ocean animals are particular favorites. As are things in the panther family - like cheetahs and jaguars. He's in bed right now - otherwise I'd ask him what the scientific names are. Because he knows. 

Fact 5: Declan is still our early riser. But we are starting to see a small shift. He has his own bedroom now (with blackout curtains) - and is starting to get to stay up later. So he is sleeping in more often. A couple times, he's still been asleep when the nanny arrives and we don't see him before we leave for work. This is unusual. But a year ago, it was unheard of. What he doesn't like is that when he sleeps in, Quinn beats him downstairs and gets to pick the show ... which means he's likely watching a cooking show first thing in the morning. 

Fact 6: D has a wonderfully balanced summer activity schedule. He's playing baseball two nights a week (for a couple more weeks), is currently in skate camp to keep his hockey skills sharp, has started piano lessons once a week (and loves it), and will be attending a week-long drama camp at the end of the month. He's a little nervous about drama camp as Q is too old for his level and will be joining Fiona in the bigger kid camp. But it will be good for him to go at it solo. He's used to having his own personal fixers in the hovering sisters. A little independence will be good for a guy.

Fact 7: Declan is so funny. He both enjoys jokes and is quick to find the obvious (or subtle) humor in things. Mike taught him the alternate definition of "balls" and he thinks it is so funny to make a joke about balls - and then say "not these balls, daddy" while pointing for added effect. Boys. 

He still delights in being the class or family clown and is willing to do just about anything for a laugh. We are working on the finer points of both delivery and realizing when you have crossed the line into not.funny.anymore. It's a work in progress. 

One of his favorite days in the new house is when I found the box with his joke book in it. He's always good for a great one-liner. The current favorite ... "Why are there only 25 letters in the Christmas alphabet?" Because there is Noel. 

Bonus Fact: the answers to the annual birthday questions

Favorite color: Red

Favorite friend: Andrew

Favorite show: Bluey

Favorite book: Science Comics: Coral Reefs

Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (but not the werewolf part)

Favorite song: Carrying the Banner

Favorite food: Corn dogs

Favorite thing to do: Play hockey

Be when you grow up: a vet