Fourteen

We took Matthew to Smashburger to celebrate his birthday.  We had never been before, but rumor at the middle-school was that it was delish.  We agreed, definitely the best hamburger I ever had, although to be fair, I rarely choose a burger at a non-fast-food place.  This was semi-fast food and how could I not get a burger at a place called Smashburger?  YUM.

 Matthew chose Legos for his birthday, which is not a big surprise.  He had it built within an hour or 2 and declared it very awesome.  Ken surprised him with an architecture game (didn't get a photo) and he got a new "cool" sweatshirt.  Only teenagers think clothes are ok for gifts if they are "cool".  (although Carolyn picked out a sweatshirt for Christmas this year.....oh no, I guess "tween" girls think it is ok too)

 I know we have steered away from cake-themes as Matthew has aged, but this year he brought a fish into our home, so it was only right that he have a fish tank birthday cake.  (Henry and Mudge books gave us the idea.)  Actually the fish live in Joel's room because he had the big counter for it...but Joel's birthday is far away and how can you not love this cake!

Of course as I look at these pictures I think - where are Matthew's glasses?!!!  (He doesn't really like contacts, but he really needs correction.)  Oh well despite probably squinting....I think he had a great birthday.  The day after, not as much, because he was required to help with the great clothing swap, which really is no fun for anyone (see separate post).

Singing and loving it!

Carolyn was the cantor for the children's choir last Sunday.  She was supposed to share the role, but one girl had to go to grandmas and the 2nd one no-showed.  Luckily another choir member joined Carolyn, but Carolyn had to introduce all the songs.  She and the other girl sang from the podium for all the songs and lead the responsorial psalm.  She was more composed that I would be now, let alone at age 11.  Today she pinched-hit for a missing alter server, so she is really serving the Lord lately!!!  (Ken has an alter server picture on his phone that will come later.)

Girl scout night at the Science Center

Carolyn and I spent the night at the Children's Science Center of Iowa with about 70 other girls scouts/family members.  We didn't go with her troop, it was just us, which made it pretty special.  Here we are at the Mars exhibit.

Here is Carolyn in front of a life size Mars Rover replica (Spirit or Opportunity (they were twins) from 2004-2010, not Curiosity, the 2012 rover).  If you remember correctly our family has a thing for Mar's Rovers (previously we focused on Sojourner). (click on the underlined words for a blast from the past)

 Here is Carolyn, next to her own life size replica made of plastic sticks.

We even slept pretty well, despite sleeping on the floor.  It probably helped that bedtime wasn't until 11:15 (after the IMAX showing of the Mars movie...I will admit I caught a few winks a bit early)

The great clothing swap strikes again

I don't think I am going to survive the great clothing swap of Fall 2012.

It is too much to decide for each of the piece of clothing owned by each of my children:

1.  Will they wear it next spring?
2.  Will it fit then?
3.  Do I like how it fits them?
4.  Do they like it?
5.  Is it still good enough to keep?
6.  Should it be passed on to a sibling?
7.  Should it be passed onto a friend?
8.  Does it go to the clothes give away at my friend's church?
9.  Is it a rag?
10.  Is it trash?

THEN there is the box of winter clothes....it has a whole new set of questions, but you get the picture.

Really, no one needs to think this much about clothes.  (The baskets of clean clothes that needed to be put away probably didn't help my mood any.)

It was nice knowing you.