A first night out

My BFF Everett invited me to a sleepover

for his 8th birthday.

I'm REALLY excited...

but also a bit nervous

about sleeping away, missing out on things at home...

But mostly REALLY excited!

All the birthdays

Since everyone wanted Pappo's fish for their birthday--

Mom, Wes, me and Tuck--

we decided to have one big fish fry

to celebrate all together.

So we had all the fish..

all the toys...

all the pies...

and all the buddy time

we could squeeze into one night!

On two wheels

It's taken a lot of talking about it,

and a new bike for Christmas,

and some bike lights for Easter,

and more talking about it...

but I think I'm really ready this time

It makes me feel better that Dad's close

but I'm not going to need him for much longer!

A new bucket list

Summer's coming!

That means a reset of our summer bucket list.

Today--a bike ride

to get Sonic!

Something tells me this one will be repeated 

a few times this summer

A beautiful day for a game...or 5

FINALLY,

we have some weather worth playing in!

1 soccer game x3

+ 2 football games x1

= plenty of fun in the sun!

We dance

A family favorite 

(usually prompted by Mom)

is Friday Night Just Dance-offs.

It usually starts as "just 3 songs"

and often turns into an hour or more.

You should see the videos.

We may have to take this show on the road.

 

8 is great!

I requested Olive Garden alfredo

and ice cream sandwich cake 

for my birthday dinner.

Neither disappointed!

Happy birthday to me!

 

An old-school Birthday Party

Last year,

Mom had planned and booked a combo party

at Sky Zone for me and Tuck.

And then...COVID.

And despite rescheduling literally 4 times,

it clearly couldn't happen.

(Hence the super awesome backyard Nerf party!)

BUT...

as COVID is moving behind us,

we finally got to return to some "normal" activities...

like birthday parties!

So we called up a few close friends,

donned our masks,

and hit the trampolines

for a long-awaited Sky Zone party!

We did it all:

basketball

a few games of dodgeball

flips into the foam pit

trick jumps in the big room

gauntlet battles

and ninja warrior courses

There were pizza and cupcakes

and birthday wishes made

and a lot of goofing around

with our good friends

And, of course, there were presents.

It was awesome to romp with our friends

and celebrate another year older!

 

One more cake

I really wanted ice cream cake for my birthday

but that's hard to do in a camper

so Mom and Dad made it happen today

Everyone was really sad to have cake again.

Don't they look sad?

Everyone loves belated birthdays!

Friday night snack

Friday night now means

Movie Night at the Reed house.

And Movie Night means popcorn!

We were excited to put our new popper to use

Put in the corn

and now we wait...

 

Tuck turns 6

Oh, man have I been looking forward to today!

It's my birthday!

My family decorated the house,

the said my name on the morning announcements,

Mrs. Palmer gave me a special birthday pencil,

and I had PE.

What a day!

And then...

I came home to PRESENTS!

I got a nerf vest and gear

and A FISH!

Can you see him?

Just above the sign?

Meet Bob the Beta.

AND my favorite ice cream sandwich cake!

Best. Birthday. EVER!

Big brother turned Guest Reader

Guess who "came" to read Enemy Pie to us today

in my kindergarten class?

That would be my big brother Weston.

It was a proud moment for me.

One big birthday

We may have already had our hunt

with Grandma Phyllis,

but it is Easter

(and Ranger is still hanging out at her house)

so we thought we should stop on by.

They had a cake for us!

and birthday presents!

We got new rods

and tackle

and Papa even made us some lures!

We can't wait to put them to good use!

Easter...TOGETHER!

We almost forgot,

but the Bunny didn't--

it's Easter!

And boy, did he deliver!

There were eggs everywhere

and despite Mom and Dad giving

Wes and I a handicap,

we still scored plenty

See?

But, as usual, the fun didn't stop

with the eggs.

We were quickly off on the scavenger hunt

which again,

didn't disappoint

Airplane origami, new towels for camp,

bike lights, and an air popcorn popper

were hidden around the house.

The hunt is always the best part!

But THEN...

we headed for a family brunch

at Uncle Kurt and Aunt Mandy's house.

We were thrilled to do something normal again!

After we ate,

Mema had crafts

Ready for the garden!

For the finale--

another hunt!

We missed all the hunts!

Mema was tricky!

It took all of us to find all of the eggs.

Hope your Easter

was as awesome as ours!