One thing we have changed is gone from going to the playground to going for a walk around the neighborhood. Both boys enjoy it, especially Elisey, but we can split up and take Elisey for a longer walk. We are walking almost an hour, which I hope helps to tire him out. I don't know if that affects his mood, but ought to help his sleeping. He even napped, a bit, after lunch.
Fortunately dinner was mostly a happy affair, and when after dinner we brought out a simple cake and announced it was his eighth birthday, Elisey was very happy. He was also pleased with the cake and the little plush-toy airplane he got as a present. Not only does Elisey love airplanes ("samolet" in Bulgarian), this is soft enough he can throw it around the house and it won't hurt anyone or anything. Fortunately Dimcho accepted the convention that Elisey got a present and not him (we were not sure he would) so all went smoothly.
Here is Elisey and his airplane.
And here is one of Dimcho for balance.
