Ryan's Birthday

Ryan's 11th birthday and other events of the week

One candle = 11 years

     I wasn't sure what I was going to write about this week. However, today (Sunday, the 28th) is Ryan's 11th birthday. Thought that was a good place to start. Like all days lately. it was so hectic the family was having a hard time finding time to celebrate. Craig dropped Megan, Elizabeth, and Ryan off at my house while he ran Kieran out to baseball practice. Alicia was working at the hospital today, and Craig didn't want to have all of the kids out at the ballpark--understandably. Alicia was going to pick all the kids up at my house when she got off work and take them to Ryan's soccer game.  I'm so confused!!! This is just a typical day; the only thing different today was that it was not a school day on top of everything else.

All the kids weren't here but we still had fun.

  
      Anyway, I was glad they came. I had planned to bake a cake to have for them the next day after school. Instead, I asked Luke if he wanted to make the cake today so we could celebrate Ryan's birthday; that could be a birthday cake from us. I found one birthday candle, which worked out fine. Luke made a yellow cake with chocolate icing. (Luke's my "live-in chef.") I was "assisting" him and I suggested that after he cracked the eggs into the mix that he put the shells into the box that the cake mix came in (you know, just to cut down on the mess a bit). However, I was cleaning up as he worked and moved the box. His comment was, "Boy, it sure is hard to get good assistants these days!" Watch it, boy!!

Ryan and Megan sharing cake.

     We were going to wait until Alicia got there to light the candle and sing "Happy Birthday," but before we knew it the clock showed 4:15. Ryan did not have much time before soccer practice. So we lit the candle and sang "Happy Birthday," and I was just about to cut the cake when Alicia got here. So we had one little party here.

     Alicia had gotten a cake and ice cream to take to share with Ryan and his soccer team. Ryan was also planning to have a private birthday party with his family tonight when (and if!!!) they got home. So I think his birthday will really get celebrated today after all. Hard to believe he is 11. Time keeps slipping by so quickly!

     You might notice that Megan is just in her diaper. Want to know why? When she first got to my house, she saw the bowl with the cake "remains" and, of course, she said "I want that." (She has always been my taste tester.) She also said, "I need to take my shirt off," and proceeded to take her clothes off to avoid getting cake mix all over her. She knew the routine!
   
     The boys had their first home football games this week. On Monday night, the 8th graders (Landon) played; they lost but played a great game. Landon plays center and was in on a lot of tackles. Last night the 4th graders (Luke and Kieran) played at 5:00, and the 5th graders (Ryan) played at 6:00, and they were both so exciting! Some of you might just want to skip this part, but I have a LOT of family members who read this blog so I have to share this information with them. In the 4th grade game, Kieran got two of the four touchdowns, intercepted a pass, and caused a fumble. He is just like his dad--unbelievably FAST. Once he gets a little lead, there is no one even close to him--on either team. The 5th grade game was amazing. After the first half, they were behind 21-0. But they came back fired up and WON 22-21. Ryan caught a pass for some long yardage, AND he caught the winning two-point conversion. It was unbelievable!!!

Great catch, Ryan!

      Someone on the sideline was taking pictures and sent us

Love his face in this one!

these two pictures of Ryan catching the ball for the two-point conversion.

The parents of the 4th and 5th grade players have to do everything at their games--man the gate, work the concession, drag the chains, even call the game. Craig called Ryan's game (he was nervous, but did a great job!). He also gave the invocation for the 4th grade game. Sheri worked the concession stand for the 5th grade game also. I know Russell would be SO PROUD of the family he made. I look around in the stands and see some friends of ours (married couples our age), and I can't help but be envious because I am not able to share this with Russell. But I see his influence in his kids and now his grandkids. That's how I know he is still here!

      Okay, no more football (at least until next week). Megan, on the other hand, is ready for gymnastics evidently. The other day, she said out of the clear blue, "Grammy, I do 'nastics." Her older sister, Elizabeth, took gymnastics for a couple of years and is now enrolled in a competitive cheerleading program. Here are some examples Megan's "nastics" attempt.Here is a picture of her after one of her "routines," and a short video of a "performance." She really gets into it! 

The end of one of her "routines."

     Hope you all keep reading. See you next week!