Tanner Turned 10

We had to celebrate Tanner's birthday a little early this year so on Friday, Nov. 13th he had his dinner out with Brian at Applebees. We keep thinking his culinary tastes will improve but Tanner said it was a choice between Applebees or Taco Bell and Brian convinced him that a bean and cheese burrito from Taco Bell wasn't a real great birthday dinner! We followed that with the family gifts at our house.  He mostly wanted baseball gear this year and we got him a new catcher's mitt, an under armor long sleeve shirt, and a blitz ball. Jake and Faith got him a bow and arrow (toy) and an archery lesson which he LOVED, and Nana gave him money for London.  He got some pretty cool baseball pillow cases from Mary and a NY Yankees hoodie from Auntie Sue.  

The next night was his friend's birthday. We had 6 boys over for pizza and cake followed by a trip to Dart Warz- an indoor nerf gun/glow in the dark place in Meridian. They all loved it! Three of the boys spent the night and then joined us for chocolate chip pancakes the next morning and some games on the green.  

His real birthday was celebrated when we arrived in London- on his actual birth date (Nov. 21). I don't think he even really remembered it was his birthday until Brian and I reminded him when he woke up on the red eye flight.  Phillip and Joan got him a birthday cake and we sang happy birthday to him after dinner- before crashing into bed at 730 exhausted and completely jet lagged. 

It's hard to believe my second child is now in the "double digits". He is so "innocent" compared to how Jake was at that age- he's still such a little boy and I have to admit that I eat it up.  He is loving and kind and really smart. He is an amazing big brother to Faith and takes care of her in ways that constantly surprise me and make me so proud. He is funny and silly and forgetful. He is a boy of few words- trying to get him to talk to us and tell us anything about his day is like pulling teeth! He has a crooked grin and knobby knees that are usually stained green and pointy elbows. He's skinny and strong and athletic and creative. I remember being disappointed initially when I found out that I was going to have two boys... wow...I can't imagine my world without my second boy.  He is a true blessing.

Halloween 2015 is in the Books

We realized a few weeks ago that we hadn’t had Mary for a visit since last Christmas. We called her up and made plans and chose Halloween Weekend for a visit due to the baseball schedule that would allow her to see both boys play a game on Saturday.  It also worked out well since the kids were off school Thursday and Friday. We made good use of the time!

Thursday Jake had school but Tanner and Faith didn’t, so after Parent/Teacher conferences (which were great as usual) Mary and I took them to Jump Time and then to Simplot Hill to play. I think I could’ve saved the 15 bucks and just taken them to the hill! They ran up it and down it, slid down, rolled down, trudged up, and did it again until I finally had to tell them it was time to get home.  On Friday we took them to see Inside Out- which they had both seen but I had not.  Mary and I really enjoyed it, too.  Jake brought his friend Ryan and they went and saw a different movie- more interesting to a 12 year old boy that thinks he’s 26.   That evening Mary got to see Faith do her gymnastics lesson while I took Jake to basketball practice and Brian took Tanner to his final baseball practice of the year.  Never a dull moment!

Saturday was Halloween and we had a full day planned. Jake’s game was at 10 and Mary and I picked up Dad and brought Tanner and Faith to meet Brian and Jake at the field.  We enjoyed the game, stopped for takeout sandwiches en route to Tanner’s game, met Nana there, then watched his game from 1-3.  It was the last games of the season and I know Mary really enjoyed watching them play.  After a brief stop to pick up take and bake pizzas for Halloween dinner, we headed home where the kids watched TV and I napped until 5.  Then it was dinner and into costumes.  Jake was a human voting booth- which Brian helped him design and build and which apparently was a big hit with the neighborhood.  Faith was a kitty cat lady of some sort and Tanner was a nerd (along with his best friend, Gus).  

Brian and Mary stayed back to hand out candy and watch the World Series game, while I dropped Tanner off with his friends for his first “parent free” trick-or-treating experience. He was out for 2+ hours and had a blast with all his buddies.  I went along with Faith and her friend Abby (who dressed as a crazy old cat lady) then headed home after about 90 minutes to watch the rest of the game. The Mets won, so that rounded out a pretty fun night. We hosted a triple sleepover at our house that night but kids were all great and mostly asleep by 1030.  

The next morning Brian made everyone pancakes while we told Tanner repeatedly that, no, he could not eat all his Halloween candy for breakfast!!! The candy bin is overflowing but likely won’t be for long. Brian and I are the worst culprits. I have no willpower around those little mini Twix bars!!!

Next up-we celebrate Tanner’s 10^th birthday in two weeks, followed a week later by our trip to London. When we return it will be less than a month until Christmas. Time flies this time of year!