Happy Birthday! (Round #1)

Owen had a great day celebrating his 10th birthday. He had school (ho hum), a lacrosse game (all right!), special request dinner (steak on the grill, baked potatoes and strawberries), birthday cake (Boston Cream with Mom's first foray into the world of fondant to make it uniquely OJO) and presents (cash for the first time). Owen loved it all and says he does, in fact, feel older now. :) I guess it was a pretty big DECADE!

Owen scored a goal ...

...and saved a few on his birthday! Way to go!
Check out the glow!
Nothing tops Under Armor... again!

Happy Birthday
to the most generous,
cool,
laid back,
warm-blooded,
ready-to-play dude in the house!

Pierce's Chocolate Chicken

Hmmmm... a book in my Easter basket. Let's read it.
"One morning somebody put a chocolate chicken in the birdbath.
"I love you!" said Max...."

Hmmm... I guess this must be a chocolate chicken.
Let's see how it tastes.
Well... it tastes pretty good.
I think I'll go ahead and have some more because, in fact...
it tastes great!
Yep, I agree with Max, "I love you!"Any more in here? I've just about finished this one off!

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!