The BIG 12!

In our family, we have a tradition that you get to go on a special one-on-one parent date for your 8th, 12th, and 16th birthdays. The 8th birthday is special because that is the age our children are baptized & get the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Not until age 8 are they considered "accountable" before God to know right from wrong. Age 12 is special because that is when our kids become "youth". The boys enter the Young Men's program, and the girls enter the Young Women's program. At the age of 12 kids get to attend once a week youth activities, go on special trips, and attend the Temple for the first time to perform ordinances. Boys are also ordained to the Aaronic priesthood if they are found worthy by their Bishop. They become a Deacon and pass the Sacrament every Sunday to the members of our congregation.

Christopher picked his favorite restaurant, our local "Washington Street Grill" for his special day out with Mom and Dad. He had to wait a few weeks after his birthday, because our schedules have become so busy. No more child's menu for Christopher! He's excited to be a big person and eat BIG portions! He ordered his favorite restaurant dish: fish and chips.

We used this rare date of personal quiet time to have a really in depth conversation with Christopher on what his goals are in life, and what we expect of them standard-wise. We especially spend time talking about personal matters that we wouldn't discuss in front of the other kids. We used the pamphlet "For the Strength of Youth" as a basis for some of our conversations. It is important for our kids to be well familiar with our standards of living in order for them to make correct choices.

The finale of our date out was this amazing MILE-HIGH MUD PIE!!! Our younger kids DREAM of getting to go out with Mom and Dad so they can someday have their very own Mile high mud pie. Christopher was generous and shared with Dad and even gave some leftovers he couldn't finish to his sisters.

Mmm...what's better: Chocolate or whipped cream?

I was very good and didn't take a single bite. Not even a lick of cream!

They had to have some goofy pictures, of course!

We had a wonderful time! I think we hung out in our booth for about 2 hours talking about everything from girls to how to be a gentleman to the duties of Priesthood holders.

I must say I am very blessed to have these two handsome men in my life! What great guys they are!

Chris was measured at his Doctor appt. last week, and has been told he has 20/20 vision. (YAY) But that he needs to work on his balance and coordination. Christopher is now exactly five feet tall. Just three more inches and he'll be eye level with me! He might pass me up by his next birthday! Watch out! He'l l be six foot before I know it! Christopher is really looking forward to it. He can't wait to be as tall as his Dad.

I can't believe how big he's grown. He was just a little 5 year old when we moved to Oregon 7 years ago! Time has flown by. Amazing. Makes me frightened of how fast the next 7 years will go.

Christopher has been working hard these last two months on Scouts. It's been a real blessing in our homeschool. We've been completing about 6 different Merit Badges. He's got some great teachers and mentors, so we're excited to support him and see what happens next!

Chris 12th Birthday PARTY!

Christopher's big present for his 12th birthday was this huge awesome synthesizer! He was so excited when he unwrapped it, he did a happy dance. I even caught it on video---so cute!

Christopher's two most favorite instruments are the organ and the Oboe. He says he likes the Oboe because it sounds like an organ. He just LOVES how the organ sounds. He usually plays the synthesizer on the organ sound. I believe it is because I played organ a LOT when I was pregnant with him. I was the ward organist for my church, and I practiced the organ practically everyday. I also played organ for 3 more years after he was born, so he was surrounded with that sound from infancy. He says he hopes to take Organ lessons someday. I told him that is fine as long as he takes piano lessons FIRST!

On his birthday, we had a huge Boys Club Class on Lewis and Clark. Some of the boys who were staying for the party stayed afterwards to play games.

I was too tired to make fancy cake. So I made a Neopolitan Cake. Three layers: Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate. The kids were happy with it. I was glad it didn't fall over with transporting it in our van!

Christopher wanted a huge sleepover party, but I told him I couldn't handle it, and that if he wanted a party at all he had to have it somewhere other than our house. So, he chose the Bowling Alley here in Dallas.

12 at one blow!

This is a funky looking picture...you can't tell what direction he's going! Optical illusion from the carpet patterns. That's my nephew, Jared, who is blossoming into a talented Gymnast! He can stand on his head for LONG periods of time, and sing while he's there, too!

The Birthday Crew

Look at those Beautiful blue eyes on my nephew, Spencer.

The party ate half of the cake, and we gave the other half to my sister who was watching all my girls at her house. I'm not currently eating any sugar, and so I wanted it out of my house as quickly as possible!

The boys had a terrific time bowling! Some were there for their first time. Others bowled like a pro. It was heartening to see all the boys act with good sportsmanship. They made a good team.

Christopher had a great 12th birthday. It made me want to take my kids bowling again sometime.