This baby turns 8 today!

Last week someone asked me how old Ben was and I said with certainly, Well, he’ll be seven next week. Nope.  Already seven.  Somewhere I lost count.  I guess because he was the baby of our family for five years I just can’t stand to let him grow up.  But he defies me.

photo by whitney loibner

I am fully convinced that God gave Ben to our family to keep us smiling.  There are five melancholy Chinos at this house.  Without Ben, we are in danger of taking ourselves too seriously.

He climbed this mountain when he was six.  I know it won’t be his last great conquest.

photo by whitney loibner

Ben of the Special Ben Handshake.  Ben who wants to wake up early enough to say Goodbye to the grumpy brother who has to catch the bus.  Ben who will read the Bubble Book to Simon again.  And again.  Ben who walks to and from school with Mary Polly every day.  Messy Ben.  Happy Ben.

Happy Birthday Benjamin Craig Chino!