Happy Easter Birthday, Dad!

Peter's birthday fell on Easter this year: The Big Four-O! He did not want to be surprised. He did not want to go out. He definitely did not want deviled eggs for breakfast. Instead, we woke up to Boston Cream donuts (because they are his favorite and because he was born in Boston) and we had fun using black wrapping paper. He got a James Bond movie (because he always does), 2 additions to his collection of Alice in Wonderland illustrated editions (bringing the total to 31), a baseball hat (what else do you think the boys would choose this time of year?!) and a balls and strikes counter (because he is still in the game!). I couldn't resist making an Easter birthday cake either! We love you, Peter!
Now... I think I'm supposed to be doing an Easter post.
Next. I promise.

Graeme wants you to know....

This foot...

kicked this ball...

way up there....

... as in way, way up there.

Now... I think I'm supposed to be doing an Easter post.

Good Friday

The boys are growing old enough now to really think about Easter and its significance. We had memorable and enjoyable scripture study this week about Palm Sunday, the Passover and the events leading to the Savior's atonement and crucifixion. Connor and Graeme enjoyed an overnight trip to the cousins' to participate in a Passover dinner on Thursday and then the cousins joined us in Annapolis for a non-denominational stations of the cross faith walk on Friday. The boys all remarked how moving it was to walk a crowded pathway with a growing throng of reverent believers and were impressed that someone carried a wooden cross to each station marking an event in Jesus' last mortal day. I was also gently touched by the Spirit when I noticed that the farther we went along the way, the farther ahead of me the boys were. At first, they literally held my hand and sang over my shoulder. Then they recited the scriptures on their own and walked just a few yards in front of me. By the end, I couldn't see them but knew they were ahead, finding their own way. It was a sweet reassurance that yes, they have been taught and they have learned. As they grow in testimony and stature, they will walk on in life ahead of me, but still I'll know, they know the path, and I'll have faith that they are on it. I love being their mom (and their aunt).

Reilly's Baptism

Reilly's baptism was a long-awaited and wonderful event. We are all so happy that Reilly is part of our eternal family and now an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dad performed the sacred ordinances and all the rest of us were able to participate as well. Reilly asked Connor and Graeme to give the baptism talk, Auntie Jen to give the Holy Ghost talk, Uncle Brian to be a witness and Owen and Mom to say prayers. All the Joyce brothers and Washburn cousins joined in a family baptism tradition and sweetly sang:

"I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can, and live with God again."

With the rest of our families spread far apart, we wished more than once that you could have been there, but we truly felt the spirit of many loved ones, past, present, and future, who rejoiced with Reilly that day, so much so that I felt prompted to include this scripture on his baptismal program: "Then they that gladly received of his word were baptized... and all that believed were together." (Acts 2:41,44) What a wonderful moment for a wonderful son. We love you, Reilly!

Do you know this kid?

If not, it's probably because you haven't read his journal:
It's Greg Heffley, the "author" of this New York Times best-selling graphic novel detailing the life of an undersized misfit's foray into middle school with "a bunch of morons". All 4 books in the series are extremely popular with elementary school boys, especially those with older brothers who are actually in middle school so they get the jokes (most of them anyway). It's sort of a modern cross between The Wonder Years and The Simpsons and it was just made into a movie...perfect party to celebrate Reilly's 8th birthday (a little late) and Owen's 10th birthday (a little early).
They had a blast with their friends, watching the movie premiere last Friday, visiting Maggie Moos for ice cream cake, pigging out on pizza and playing capture the flag until dark. As Greg's best friend Rowley Jefferson would say, "It was more fun than a loded diper!"
I am cooler than Greg Heffley's mother though and not only did I put up with all that, I also made awesome party favors: theater-sized candy boxes and Wimpy Kid key chains in reusable popcorn tubs! As Rowley would say, "Zoo-Wee-Mama!" (You gotta read these books!) Happy Birthday Reilly and Owen!

Spring Break!

Hurray! Peter, Owen and Reilly were on spring break last week! Pierce, too, of course. Me, too, I guess. Although today, with everyone back in school for only the 10th day all year, sorta feels more like a break :) but I digress....
For the first time in 10 years, the weather in MD was PERFECT for spring break and we all loved soaking in the sun, although it was still quite muddy thanks to the ton of melting winter snow. Happily, that didn't stop the spring breakers from opening the garage and spilling its entire contents of bikes, bats, balls, hockey sticks, gloves, and scooters every single day. I said, "No." to the sprinklers and water guns though. But "Yes!" to a couple of friend sleepovers and a day trip to National Zoo. If you go there, you keep your fingers crossed that you will get to see the real rock stars of the zo0...
The Giant Pandas! We got there in time for breakfast....
and a nap!
We thought the sloth bear hauling its baby around was so cute... and oddly... familiar! Owen and Reilly also took photos of...
the meerkat and ...
the prairie dogs. Dad took pictures of...
the elephant. I took pictures of....
Reilly! Owen and Pierce were not in the mood, but they got a kick out of...
the billy goat with its own playground equipment and Dad's favorite was...
the Komodo Dragon, not really but it posed for him, so why not? Actually, we spent the most time laughing at the gorilla family swinging all over the place with their 14-month old baby, a lot of which also looked very familiar! Too bad they live behind glass and photos really don't work. But maybe you'd rather not see how they eat: they have poor digestive systems so they have to vomit and re-eat their food several times-YUCK! Oh well. At least when you have to sit down to dinner at our house, you can remember that and know we really are doing better than the monkeys! No matter. Pierce loved it all... especially getting to see all the "animals" (a great word to learn at the zoo) with DADDY!

Won... and Done!

Connor finished his youth league wrestling career with his personal best season, notching his first winning record in the CAWL and falling just one match short of placing at the MD-VA states. He won his first match at states, but then let a second-round defeat by the eventual 2nd place finisher destroy his confidence, putting him at a 5-0 deficit after the first period of his quarter-final match. He outwrestled his opponent in the last two periods, picking up 3 critical back points in the closing seconds of the gut-wrenching match, but still fell just short, losing 5-4.
We walked away a bit disappointed, trying to remind ourselves that he really did learn a lot this season and succeeded in elevating his wrestling to the elite level. The high school varsity coach gave him a pat on the back and told him he can't wait to get him on the team next year. After a ceremonial trash-can toss of Connor's much-maligned stinky kneepads (the whole team cheered), we headed where every wrestler heads when it's over: to get some food! (You often hear eliminated wrestlers, going out the door saying, "At least now I get to eat!")
Connor had been craving Chick Fil A for 4 weeks so we went to the mall where he downed a spicy chicken sandwhich and large fries in record time, and then ran into his baseball buds and coach who treated him to a long-promised milkshake. So good bye to the stinky knee pads and long winter Saturdays in the 85 lb. weight class and hello spring, metal cleats and diamond dreams!
Great job, Connor!
103 lbs. or bust!