Birthday-ness

Tyler turned 12 last week and the celebration was not so celebratory. (Is that a word? Must be because spell check didn't mark it.) Tyler's poor birthday gets smooshed right in there with back-to-school shopping, football and soccer. This year we just had so much going on and didn't really have time to celebrate properly. Since the day was going to be crazy we got up early to open presents. It was a good thing too because that was the last time we were all together for the day. In fact, we didn't even sing and have cake because we weren't all home again. So his cake sat on the counter until the next day when we were all home and could sing. Chris took him to lunch at Red Lobster which he has been begging to go FOREVER! He was so excited about their "crabfest". I hate seafood so I never want to go. He had Scouts that night and lucky for him they were going on a fun outing to The Clas Ropes Course. They got to stay extra long and play around and his leader gave him Iceburg gift certificates. One of Tyler's FAVORITE places. All week Tyler kept trying to get out of chores or ask for things...because "it's my birthday". On Sunday we had some family over for a proper singing and celebration. Thank you to everyone who brought him gifts. They were all so perfect for him and he really enjoyed them all! As usual, I didn't get pictures of most of them.

The girls gave Tyler a Beta Fish and supplies

I tried to think of a creative way to give Tyler his gift but this was about as creative as it got. Lauren and I made tiny origami boxes and put one letter in each box. He then had to unscramble them to find out what it was. Then the last box had keys to the room where it was hidden.

Auntie Lisa sent this little gem. Isn't he cool?!!!

Thanks to:
Grandpa Gleed for the money
Grandma and Grandpa Guptill for the money and magazine subscription
Grandma Great for the money
The Wards for the AWESOME microscope set
Pene & Mason for the great books! Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and MOCKINGJAY!!! (Tyler told me after he found out he was getting Mockingjay that it was HIS book and he wasn't sharing. He said I could read it when he was done. BUT....he's going to be in school all day so Ha! Take that. I'm SOOOO excited.)