Lucky #7

Benjamin wanted a bug party so he and some friends, equipped with nets and containers, went on a hike led by trail guide Paul. Afterwards we met at the park for the good stuff, food. He got Battleship, Legos, a parachute man, water-gun swords, dino and I Spy books, Hotwheels and tracks, and the much-asked-for Little Rascals movie (He does a pretty good impression of the "Do you like pickles?" dialogue). Oh, and a hug from his biggest fan:

Benjamin was an easy baby, especially after having two with colic. As an infant I remember him fussing but not picking him up before doing a load of laundry. When I came back in from the garage and I didn't hear him I worried until I saw him breathing heavily with eyes shut. I'd heard of babies crying themselves to sleep but it only escalated my others. And it was his cry that make me know he belonged to me. As I looked at him as soon as he was born I was perplexed. He didn't look like the other two and had a bit of a cleft chin. Where did that come from? But as soon as he opened his mouth he sounded just like Leah and I knew he was ours. He has an obedient Spirit, but I remember the day he realized he had agency.  Up until that point I would put hi into bed and tell him to lay down.  And he did.  I would walk away and all would be fine.  One day when I told him to lay down. And he didn't.  
Benjamin is either going at 100% or he's asleep.  At a visit to the pediatrician's office she and I were talking about ADHD.  She told me she doesn't diagnose it but in the same breath looked at him and said, "But HE has it."  I can't remember if that was before or after he licked the bottom of his shoe.
If I ever saw a child crying in the hall outside the nursery at church I counted on it being Benjamin's work.  He was a happy litlle guy but loved flesh.  And you could see a bit coming. My mom told me to buy seven shirts, one for each day of the week, with words on it saying, "Don't laugh if I hit, head butt, pinch, bite, kick or squeeze you."  because it was hard teaching him it's not okay to do those things when he received lots of laughter and excitement from people when he did it.  People just get a kick out of his personality (no pun intended).  Don't know how many people have giving me that knowing look and accompanied by "I had one just like that!"  Before kinder all the kids at school already liked him and would yell out, "Hi Benjamin!" when we visited Isaac and Leah.  
Aside from his energy he's compassionate.  Right after Elizabeth learned to walk he stood next to her and said, "Let's have a race! Ready, set, go!"  He pretended to be going fast and let her win every time.  He wants to be the one to read to her and likes to pull her in the wagon.  He tells us girls we look pretty and notices if we wear new clothes.  He prays for the people in Haiti and fasted last month for a friend of ours who has been sick.  Or he tried to fast for her.  He got hungry around breakfast.  He showed his faith when he asked our hometeacher for a blessing for his eczema.
He loves to make us laugh with his crazy dances moves.  When he comes home after school he changes into one of Paul's shirts and takes his pants off.  He has two or three favorite school shirts that are old, crusty and stretched out at the neck.  I keep wondering what his teacher must think.
With channeled energy this guy will do great things.