Happy Birthday

This picture was not taken today, so I can't say, "THIS is what 9 looks like," but it was taken recently and is a favorite and is what almost 9 looks like. It is simply unbelievable to me how time is zooming by -- the last 4 or 5 years especially seem to have passed in half the time they should have taken. Today, as is our tradition, we have all taken the day off to celebrate; Dean was overjoyed to walk downstairs this morning to streamers and balloons and presents, wearing the birthday crown. And sunglasses. Even though the poor little sun was barely, barely up yet. He comes by his early rising rightfully -- he was born at 6:17 a.m.