Birthday Boy

We recently celebrated Logan's 4th birthday. For months he had been talking about his party, so I was a little concerned that we wouldn't meet his birthday expectations. I couldn't figure out how to throw him a party in a city where we had no friends and no family. Quite the dilemma. Having virtually no concept of time or distance, he assumed all his little friends from Kentucky would just make a trip up for his party.

Thankfully, his grandmother, aunt and cousin surprised Logan with a visit. We headed downtown to Millenium Park. Here is Logan poised underneath a giant sculpture. It's supposed to be a cloud, but it is affectionately known as the giant bean.

I think Logan enjoyed riding the train more than anything else. The look on his face was sheer pleasure.

After an afternoon traipsing around downtown, we went back home for deep dish pizza. After tasting this pizza, I'll never go to Pizza Hut again.



He received a host of "boy" presents: cars, knights, horses, games. Logan has enjoyed all of these new toys. I can't help but notice that they were quite different than last year's presents. He is definitely growing up. For a little boy, he is quite expressive and imaginative. I could fill an entire blog with all his funny sayings, but I'll just share two of my recent favorites.

I can tell that Logan has been listening to me and Emma Jane during our history lessons at home. During lunch one afternoon, I questioned him about his new Sunday school class. He said that he liked it and he met a girl in there named Pharoah Menes.

Another day, we read from Isaiah 1:19-20 as part of our Bible time

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;

but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword."

We went on to talk of how, just like the Israelites, we each have a choice to either obey or rebel. Much later that day, Logan disobeyed somehow, and we sat down to talk about it. I said, "Now, Logan, were you willing and obedient or did you resist and rebel?"

"Resisted and rebelled," he replied.

"Now what must Mommy do?", I asked.

With a serious face, he answered, "Devour me with the sword."

After I suppressed the mental picture of myself with a plastic pirate sword, I explained that the punishment I had in mind was not nearly so severe. What a funny little boy he is! Logan has brought much laughter and tenderness to my life. He tries me and pushes me more than any of the other kids so far, but he has a tenderness that is just precious.

I think that's why I love my kids' birthdays so much. They cause me to rise above the diapers and dirty dishes and remember the preciousness of that moment when that little baby entered our family.

Happy birthday, Logan!

Next Birthday...Reid

The next birthday party was in honor of yet another one year-old. Our nephew Reid had a football themed party with this adorable cake. When he was born, he ushered in the double digits as the tenth grandchild. He had a short reign as the baby of the family since our Eli came along just 8 months later.

Here, Reid is anxiously awaiting his cake and presents.

Reid appeared quite conflicted about making this important decision between family rivalries at at such a tender age.

Happy birthday, Reid. You are such a sweet little boy. And thanks for making the trip to Chicago to visit us!!

Party Time

Fall starts the birthday season in our family. September is a month of seemingly endless cake. Our first stop on the birthday circuit was my nephew, Colby. With those dark brown eyes, clearly he is Cassie's son.

Luke was a proud big brother and a great little host for the party. After 7 weeks of separation, EJ, Logan and Lane had a blast playing with their cousins.

I think the green icing really brings out his eyes.

Anyway, in an effort to win by a landslide the favorite aunt contest, my other sister Kristi rented Colby a bouncy house as a birthday surprise. It was much bigger than we expected. The kids had fun.

There was even an "adult swim" time. Yes, that's Cassie showing off. I even managed to jump in for a few minutes. My headache and dizziness afterwards reminded me that I, too, am getting older and have an approaching birthday.

Thanks for throwing a great party, Colby!