Birthday Bowling
9:28 PM - Posted by Bobbi - 0 comments
Dear Arthur,

Yesterday was your birthday. You turned eight. You were so terribly excited for this birthday, so much so that you insisted upon doing something fun. You chose ice skating but rink had closed for the season. Instead, we ended up inviting your whole class to bowl with us at the local bowling alley on Sunday, the day after your birthday. 
Apparently, a few other people in your class had birthdays about the same time: Andrea and Salvador and Ja'Caigh. I brought homemade chicken and sausage tamales and fruit with ground up chili for your class. Everyone wanted more and received seconds of fruit, but not of the tamales. It was noted by several of your classmates that I would have to make many, many more next time because they were so delicious.

On Sunday, we hoped for a big turnout. Your past birthdays had not been well-attended, so imagine our surprise when 11 kids showed up! Even Aunt Gloria came down from the farm to see you and wish you a happy birthday. She fetched your pizza and root beer and even reminded you when it was your turn to bowl. She took pictures of the two of you together. She had a great time, noting that someday we would have to go bowling with Papa. ("And get Papa drunk!" you exclaimed. She laughed.) 

You bowled a 78 - which was pretty good for an eight year old. After eating cake and opening some brand-new Lego kits, you thanked everyone for coming and handed out the Mixels we bought as a party favor. Everyone was excited to take them home and build them, saying, "Arthur sure likes Legos!" Later that afternoon, you declared that this was the best birthday ever and that you wanted to go bowing again next year. 

My dear, sweet boy: for this next year, I wish so much for you. I wish that you continue to grow into the good person that you're becoming. I wish for you to become more confident and more capable in your abilities. And I also wish for you to be yourself, always.

Blessed be. 


Someone Turns 5!
2:04 PM - Posted by Bobbi - 0 comments
Dear Balin:

This year was a strange year for your birthday, and I apologize for that. You see, we had gone to Nashville for spring break. Your birthday fell on that Monday. You looked around the table at dinnertime, sighed, and stated very matter-of-factly: "I guess none of my friends are coming to my party tonight."

Once we reassured you that your party - with your friends - would be held the Sunday we returned, you could not stop talking about it for the rest of the week. You mentioned it at the Lego Store. The zoo. Numerous times to Uncle Johnny and Uncle LeeBob. It became your favorite topic of conversation, which, in retrospect, is pretty normal for an excited five-year-old.

You wanted a Paw Patrol cake, so I obliged, making a chocolate cake with chocolate icing topped with Rubble, one of your Paw Patrol dogs. He had dug a hole in the first layer with his tiny excavator which I had liberally sprinkled with blue candy crystals and cake crumbs to emulate dirt.

Many friends came to your birthday party, most of whom you had not seen since last summer. You insisted upon not inviting anyone from your class - which I found amusingly odd since you  always speak quite fondly of Hector and Andrew and Zachary.

You received many new Paw Patrol toys - most from your Auntie Blythe - and some fun Star Wars books that you have already read over and over again.

This year, Balin, I hope you continue to grow from a toddler into a charismatic, lovable little boy. I hope you keep practicing your knock-knock jokes and learn to tell them with ease and perfect timing. I want for you to continue to make people laugh.

Blessed be.