Wow! It's amazing to me how each year passes me by more quickly than the one before. It's seems like yesterday that we baptized Boston, but it was just yesterday that he celebrated his 9th birthday! He said to me, the day of his birthday, "my teacher said I am taller". LOL I'm not sure if that's true, but he is taller in so many other ways! He continues to amaze me, and brings me so much joy! He is a great kid! He is my only kid who wakes up in the morning and turns around and makes his bed. He is the only kid that does his homework the first thing when he walks in the door, without being asked. He is my only kid who I don't have to follow up on when I ask them to do something. While he has always been like that, it amazes me to see that he doesn't grow out of it! Of course, there are many things that have changed about him. He didn't use to care what others thought so much, but know I catch him asking me not to give him so much affection in front of his friends. He also made sure that we didn't decorate his party with streamers and balloons, because that is for "little kids!" But I still catch him grabbing my hand when we go out, when he isn't paying attention, and occasionally wanting the toys in the happy meals! While each new year means new milestones and things left in the dust, Boston continues to be a loving, spiritual, responsible child!
This year was a great birthday for Boston. We wanted to make sure that we didn't have a recurrence of last year's party. That broke my heart, and I totally take the blame. It was an awful time, and invitations went out late! I told Ben he could be in charge, and so he helped Boston make and send out the invites. The decided to do a football party, where they would play a football game, watch part of one, and play Madden 2011. They were also going to eat pizza, candy, etc. and swim in the hot tub. We decided that a Saturday party would be a better turn out, and since it was his actual birthday it worked out perfect!
His birthday started like every birthday in this house... waking up to streamers in his doorway. (Well it actually starts the night before by telling him his birth story) He then opened our gifts before his soccer game.
Aubrie was so sweet, trying so hard to get him something he would like, that was affordable. She got him those under armor sweat bands, and a bag of snickers.
My brothers gave him cash! My Mom gave him money and he got a Tilly's gift card from Ben's parents. (Sophia a little excited over the gifts!)
We bought him NCAA Football 2011. I wrapped it in a big box and put some bricks in there so he wouldn't know what it was.
He was thrilled with all his gifts! After gifts, we headed out to his soccer game.
This season has been a non winning season for Boston's team. They couldn't find a coach, and Ben stepped up to a team of boys who mostly have never played before. It has been amazing to see how much they have improved. Yesterday they played the first team they played of the season, who beat them 8-0! Before I knew that, I prayed that Boston could finally have a win for his birthday. When I found out who they were playing I quickly downgraded my request to a goal! LOL I shouldn't had lowered that expectation. They came out winning, 4-2! I was so proud of the team, and happy for Boston.
After the soccer games (we were 3 for 3 ) we grabbed lunch at McDonalds. We then had a nice relaxing afternoon, until his party started.
As the time neared I was praying that it would be a great party! Eight boys had RSVP'd, but boys just kept showing that never called. Boston had a GREAT turn out! They started off playing in the backyard. They boys had fun on the trampoline, and playing tether ball, etc. When everyone arrived they walked to the park for a game of football. Then they came back for pizza and swimming.
I figured they would only sit in the hot tub, but they started daring one another to swim, and before I knew it they were in the pool, going down the slide, jumping off the waterfall, etc. They had a great time swimming. Where else can you have a swim party in November?
After swimming, we sang to Boston, had cake and opened gifts.
WIPED OUT from all the fun!
Boston got a lot of Tilly's gift cards, and football stuff! After gifts, the boys went in various directions; to the game room, and in the back yard. We sent each kid home with a big box of candy and a pack of football trading cards! Boston had so much fun. He was smiling so much the whole time. When his party was over, I asked him if he had a good party, and he got the hugest smile on his face!
A little later that evening he went to the movies with me, Aubrie, my Mom and my brothers. He was sitting next to me in the movies, and I just sat there for a moment staring at my boy with a Patriots football jersey and cap on, thinking...."where is my boy who dressed up in Spiderman costumes pretending to shoot webs from his hands, or the boy who memorized the Darth Mal, Obi-wan light saber fight?" He is still there, he's just now a 9 year old , sport loving, Tilly clothes wearing, athletic sweetheart!
