Eleven

Kyle is 11 years old and what an amazing 11 years it's been learning and growing with this not-so-little-anymore boy.  Kyle brings so much joy and fun into our lives.  His interests and skills amaze me, he is a good big brother and friend, he has a great sense of humour and he makes all of us laugh on a regular basis.

We started the morning is what has become our family birthday tradition...the whole family gathered on the couch in our pjs while the birthday person opens their gifts.  Gifts included new comic themed pjs, books, choose your own adventure DVD, diving rings for the pool, Harry Potter 8 DVD collection and Magic the Gathering cards to start his collection.

another tradition in our house, being measured on the wall

trip down memory lane...Kyle and I looked through his baby scrapbook

a giant super soaker from Nana

Every year I have the kids hold up their fingers to show their age and take a picture.  I can't believe we are now out of fingers for Kyle!  What do you do when you turn 11? You are 10 fingers and 1 tongue old.

Kyle has this group of friends who all share the same interests and get along really well.  These 4 boys can (and have) spend days together.  So far this year, each of their birthday parties has been a sleepover with the 4 of them together and Kyle's birthday was no exception.  Kyle has been planning this for weeks now and I got his permission to share this awesome timetable he made for the party.  He printed off a copy for each kid and they received it as they walked in the door.  They really did stick with the schedule for most of the afternoon.  Although they opted to keep playing their Magic the Gathering card game well past 7:45, watch the movie later, skip reading and go to sleep at midnight.

Kyle opening presents and working on his secret coded card made by his clever friend Nicholas...there was a message inside with a secret message embedded which Kyle had to decode.

Science experiment time.  We went to the park with foam flyers for racing, a few bottles of pop and some mentos for some exploding.  I didn't realize it takes many mentos in each bottle to produce a really big explosion so ours weren't too big, but big enough for the kids to have fun.

The foam airplanes for a big hit, we certainly got our $ worth (dollar store purchase).  We did have one mishap with a landing on the roof before heading to the park.

Swimming, BBQ and birthday cake.  A skylander themed cake was requested this year.  When I asked Kyle if he wanted chocolate or vanilla he replied "both!" so we had chocolate and vanilla swirled cake.

I found it pretty amazing how little work this party was for me.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm a full out birthday party planner, I love planning the kids parties.  Now it's interesting to see how they evolve as the kids get older.  I took Kyle shopping with me so he could pick out snacks and food.  And I planned the experiment part of the party.  But everything else was all Kyle, and it all went very smoothly.  I like to think it's the years of my party planning skills that have rubbed off on him *patting myself on the back*

The boys playing their card game...I have listened in and have absolutely no idea how to play this game...and Kyle seems to think it's beyond Jeff's and my comprehension so we are off the hook in having to learn the rules.

Happy Birthday Kyle...11 years ago Daddy and I welcomed you into the world and the three of us embarked on this familyhood thing together.  Being your Mom truly is something I cherish and love more than anything else in this world.  Thanks for being you!