Birthday Week...First Up, My Son

In the next seven days our family celebrates three birthdays, my son's, my brother's and mine. But it all begins with my son's. He turned seventeen today.

What a great son! I'm so honored to be his dad. This last year I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with him. He and I worked at Lagoon together on a show during the regular summer season and then again during Frightmares. I've had the opportunity to spend time with my other kids, mostly because we've done community theater shows together, but this son's not so into the community theater.

And that's okay. If he doesn't want to do it, I'm not going to force him. No one should be forced to do community theater. I didn't think I'd get a chance to work with him on a show like that, but this summer we were able to and I'm so glad we could.

So, one birthday down, two more to go. I'm glad we get to begin our week of birthdays with my son's. He's got his whole life ahead of him--my brother and I...not so much.

Happy birthday, son! I sure do love you!

Happy Birthday, Son!

Yesterday we had a party to celebrate an event that occurred sixteen years ago. We welcomed our second child into our family and, as it was with the first, our lives have never been the same since. 

In our family, we have big birthdays. We do this because with four kids, we really can't afford to throw big parties for each birthday every year. The big birthdays come when the kids turn eight, twelve, and sixteen. Since it was my son's sixteenth birthday we had a party and he invited many many friends.

My son loves games, all types of games. Like most teenage boys, if he could, he'd play video games pretty much all day. So when he can't play electronic games, he turns to board and card games. Yesterday the living/dining room area in our house because Game Central.

We had snacks and drinks (well, water...), and lots of lively conversation. My son and his friends are amazing. We had kids ranging from eighteen to ten, all having a good time. I don't know if I would have allowed my ten-year old little brother crashing my sweet sixteen birthday party. But that's how my son is.

Today we went to church, relaxed a bit in the afternoon, then went to my cousins house for an extended family pie night. We each brought a pie and just enjoyed each other's company. And we even sang "Happy Birthday" so him before everyone left their separate ways.

Happy birthday, son. You are a great kid and we love you!