Totally Teens

 As of January 21, 2024, Elijah is a teenager, which means our house is full of teens.

Eli had theatre practice on Saturday until 5:00, so we brought Dylan and Sam home with us. After pizza we went to Main Event, which was a bust. Because it was Saturday night, it was crazy busy. After waiting 45 minutes for laser tag, we just left when they said it would be another 30 minutes to recharge the guns.

We came home to birthday fondue, so that helped brighten the mood.

🎵 Happy birthday to you! 🎵

But even better than birthday dessert was the fire!

The boys have been wanting to burn old schoolwork since last May. They loved it!

The following day was the real birthday. We celebrated after church with Eli's favorite meal.

He and I made chocolate chip cookie cupcakes.

Of course there were gifts.

Eli told his brother that he wanted 'cold, hard cash' for his birthday. That is what I gave him. That's a big block of ice with money in it.

This is 13.

This little boy is so unique. He may be a carbon copy of his father when Abe was young, but his personality is totally his own. He is witty, funny, and very sweet. I love my baby boy, who is now a teenager.

[January 21]

Lemme Get This Straight

The dreaded day for Eli arrived--braces.

Prominently displayed was his name, along with all the others getting braces for the first time that day.

If you're wondering, yes, we have three kids in braces at the same time.

Two years from now, these teeth will be amazingly straight. 

 [January 3]

11th Annual Hourly Envelopes of Fun

 Since NYE was on a Sunday this year, we started our day at church. But as soon as we rolled home, the 

11th Annual Hourly Envelopes of Fun 

was on!

12:00 noon write funny resolutions for everyone else

1:00 blind bill pick up

Zekers kind of cheated by putting the bowl to the edge of the table and pushing the money in, instead of scooping it up. But we didn't say that was against the rules before he did it, so he kept the money. The others were not happy.

2:00 obstacle course

The obstacle course is a fan favorite. Not really. But it's a favorite of Abe and I, and since we plan the activities, it's a staple. Instead of one solid course, we did several individual events this time. First up was the wheel barrel push up and down the driveway.

Next up, dragging the chair across the lawn.

Carrying a couple yard bricks was next.

Trampoline jumping followed.

Carrying the propane tank around the grill got us all dizzy.

Daisy was the winner in 'the loudest' category for all activities, especially on the duffle bag toss.

Aim was of the utmost importance when tossing the ball at the tree trunk.

My big boy is still a little monkey.

We practiced our ups on the wall jump.

The outdoor portion of the day came to a close. Everyone is still talking with each other, so that's good.

3:00 balloon battle

Blowing the cup across the counter with air from the balloon got a little heated.

4:00 cup up, cup down

Kids vs parents resulted in a W for the kids.

5:00 blind taste test

6:00 make hot fudge brownie ala mode

7:00 solo cup gloves 

8:00 how do you doo

We sang songs using only the word 'do' and everyone had to guess what it was.

9:00 would you rather-scripture version

10:00 balloon cup stack

Once again we used all of that hot air to move cups.

11:00 cookie face

12:00 midnight read resolutions made at noon

Midnight toast to 2024!

[December 31]