Turning Eight

(Lego cake made by my main squeeze)

 Over the weekend we celebrated my sweet boy's 8th birthday.  Since he's my baby, I'm a wee bit more emotional sentimental than normal.  Eight sounds so big.  I asked him on the eve of his birthday if he would still give me snuggles.  I'm so glad he said yes... with a grin.

We have a rule in our house about sleepovers.  It's really to protect our kiddos.  The rule is that you have to be eight to have or go to a sleepover with someone other than family.  We feel like that is an age that our kids are old enough to tell us if something is going on that probably shouldn't be.  It adds to the excitement of turning eight, too.
So that's what he wanted to have: a sleepover... with a Lego cake, NC State University napkins, Starwars candy, and a treasure hunt kind of party.  That's a boy for
you!  Doesn't he know his momma thrives on a good theme?!


With two older sisters in the house, we've had eons of sleepovers.  I'm here to let you in on a little secret.  Boy sleepovers are much more active than girl sleepovers.  Not as much giggling and chit chat, but lots of guffaws, physical wrestling contact, and bodily noises that would make you proud.

In the quiet moments of my shower that day I had a little cry.  As my kids are getting older I am overwhelmed by how fast life is moving.  They are growing up way too quickly for my preference.  I might have begged and pleaded that he turn the clock back to 6 instead of moving forward to 8.  Yes, each age and stage is packed with goodness and fun, but sometimes it hurts a little to let go.  As I stood in the quiet, I could hardly believe that I have had the privilege to enjoy his gift of life for 8 years.  It's such an overwhelming task, this mothering.  A task so full of joy and pain, love and work wrapped up into a precious package.

As for the number 8, I'm ready to embrace it.  Right after I dry my eyes.

The Joys of Boys

In the world of ribbon, princesses, fairies, and fashion that comes with having two older sisters, my little boy has carved out a special place in our hearts that is full of rough and tumble, baseballs, swords, and lightsabers.  We celebrated his birthday this week, by celebrating his favorite past time:  Baseball.  

Several years ago my husband and I decided that we would try to do birthday parties at our house as much as possible.  Firstly, because we want their best memories to be of our home, and more specifically our backyard.  We've been blessed with a large backyard, so we have plenty of space to play.   Secondly, because it is so much more cost-effective.  Birthday parties can be just as fun on a tight budget.  Don't get me wrong, we love being invited to parties, regardless of where they are!  

  

It turned out to be a perfect day, so we partied on the back porch.  The centerpiece was a tin bucket filled with the party favors.  (Boys don't care, do they?)

 I placed real baseballs (that we already had) along the shelf of the porch to go with the theme.  Oh, and yes, we served junk food.  Na're a healthy thing in sight!  Cupcakes in the shape of baseballs and ice-cream cups.

 I had forgotten that I had already purchased the kool-aid bottles, so we used the cups for cheese balls. :)

 The best part was watching them have fun.  We had a scavenger hunt, played home run derby and a couple of other baseball games; but the most fun they had was just being boys and playing together.  I think sometimes we (parents) get in the way of kids' fun by trying to  plan too much.  And I'm not just talking about birthday parties... but that's for another day. :)

Turning Six

My little superhero.

Full of life, snuggles, laughter, emotion, imagination.

He was put into my arms and filled my heart six years ago. Thanks to him, I know each of the characters in the Justice League, Star Wars, and Bibleman. Because of him, my prayers as a mother have changed. For my girls, I pray for their protection, their hearts, their future families. For a son, my prayers gravitate toward his character, leadership, becoming a man of God, integrity. Even though I want all of these things for all of my children, my focus is different for each child. Since he is my youngest, I think my heartstrings hold on a little tighter as each year passes. As I watch him grow and mature it is bittersweet. I want him to fulfill all that he was placed on this earth to do. But for now, I want to make time stand still and enjoy the moment.

We celebrated number six with just a few friends. It was what he wanted. For me, it was the easiest birthday I've ever planned. Hubby made the cake:

I planned the scavenger hunt, the girls decorated. The boys were entertained with roasting marshmallows and playing in the fort...

while saving the world, one villain at a time.