11

My baby turned 11 yesterday.  The last four days have been all about Ben.  He's filled them with a party, Sky Zone, bowling, baking, lots of good food and a movie.  The boy knows how to celebrate in style!

This boy amazes me every day.  On the surface hes usually a kid that goes out of his way to be weird. He has his selfish and sometimes entitled moments.  Then the switch flips and he turns into the most compassionate, sweet, enlightened, down to earth, caring little man that I end up being in awe of.  He loves to stay up into the early hours of the morning and sleep as late as we'll let him. His lap top is his best friend.  He would love to be a serious You Tuber, but lacks the patience that takes.  He is sensitive and emotional about anything and anyone he loves.  He loves the color blue, shirts with collars and his ascot is turning into more than a phase.  He still loves green beans and broccoli, but hates Sweet Basil pizza (which is the best pizza around).  He is always literal which is borderline obnoxious.  He still lacks common sense which is rubbing off on his siblings, but he's helpful and usually more patient with them than I am.  He's definitely the best 11 year old around!

Party time

Ben had his birthday party over the weekend.  We found a place a lot like Sky Zone, but it also includes a ninja section that has a lot of obstacles you'd see on American Ninja Warrior.

They had a great time going through the course.  Dodge ball was also a favorite.

We decided to just bake a cake instead of ordering.  Our two main cake decorators weren't in the area so Ben graciously asked for a basic decoration that I could pretty much handle.  It wasn't pretty, but I think you can tell its a flag.

Ben had a great time with his friends and is looking forward to turning 11 tomorrow.

Fun 24hrs

We've had a good 24hrs.  The public schools in our city started today so we had an ice cream party for all the kids on our street last night.  This is Bens and Sams main group...all girls!

With the public schools starting and the eclipse, I thought today would be a good day for us to start school.  We're easing into it so today was purely eclipse, planetary rotation and viewing safety.
Of course we had to sneak in the traditional pictures:

Even though Zach is in kindergarten, he'll be doing mostly first grade work.  The boy is smart and excited to learn.

If Ellie could do kindergarten work, she'd be all over that. She has no desire to do anything school related.  If learning is involved, she walks away.  She's going to be even more annoyed when she sees Zach doing her stuff, and lets be honest, doing it better and faster.

Sam wasn't thrilled to hear we're starting today.  He complains a lot, but when he puts forth the slightest bit of effort, he does really well with every school task hes given.

Ben would much rather be on his lap top, but as long as he gets to stay up late and sleep in, he'll be happy.

Eclipse viewing with plates because I don't trust my kids!
If you can't read the signs, Zach wants to be a chemist. Ellie wants to be a mom.  Sam wants to be an astronaut and Ben wants to be a video game tester.

Surprise!

I let Zach look at my phone while the boys were testing for their green belts. This is what I found later.

Jump Yard

Ellie earned a gift card to the jump yard from her chiropractor because she went a week with great behavior.

The big boys went to Gram camp for a few days.  It seemed like a good time to take the little ones to play.

I was shocked (but happy) it was so empty.  The kids had a great time going through each obstacle.

Its so nice when they share.

Green

The boys tested for their green belts over the weekend. They now know 3 blocking and kicking sequences, 3 blocking stances, 6 forms and 16 ways to defend themselves and take down an attacker as well as a ton of Korean terms.

We couldn't be more proud.

The Fest

We went to The Fest over the weekend.  Its an annual outdoor Christian concert.  Along with the concert they had some games and fun booths set up for the kids.

They had a hair spray station that was definitely the favorite of the kids.

We liked 3 of the 4 bands that played.  Ben got to see one of his favorite bands so he was very happy to be there.

The kids got high fives and Ellie got a pat on the head from one of the singers from For King and Country.  She is now in love with that band!

Wordless Wed: Mama, take a cute picture of me!

White belt

Back when Ben and Sam started Taekwondo, Ellie tried the class with them.  She wasn't a fan and quit half way though. Last week, she said she wanted to try it again.  We took her to a class and she loved it this time.  We signed her up and shes already learned her first blocking pattern.  She's so little, the smallest uniform was too big for her, but she looks adorable!

Mohawk Madness!

Sam has been loving his mohawk so much, Zach wanted one too.

Jon was more than happy to take care of that!