Thirteen

 Silas turned 13 on August 8th. We spent the afternoon at "The Arcade", eating lunch and playing lots of games with Lindsee, Will, Popee, and Wanda.

For dinner that evening, Silas picked to eat at Raising Canes.

After dinner, back at home, he opened his gifts.

He got a gift card in the mail from Grandma Sharon.

Sarah got him the die cast fire chief car that he had been wanting that he saw at a local antique store. We got him some Miami Dolphins gear, clothes, Kansas Opoly, and a new baseball ball return.

Will, Lindsee, and EP gave him a New York City skyline Lego set that he had been wanting since we took our trip to NYC over spring break.

And, Phoebe gave him a big Badminton set.

From Popee, there was a slug bug model car, some cookies, and a music tie.

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY, SILAS! He requested a fruit pizza for his birthday dessert.

Lindsee and Will spent the night with us. We played pounce that night and the next morning we got doughnuts from SK Doughnuts and drinks from Barista Blendz.

He built his NYC Lego skyline and posed for a picture so I could send it to Lindsee.

The day after his birthday we held his birthday party. He invited some great friends to have fun and celebrate with him. We started at our house, then took all the boys to Rock River Rapids for a couple of hours of swimming. After that, we returned to our house for pizza dinner, gifts, wiffleball, basketball, and a little bit of volleyball. These boys were all fun to be around, kind, and get along very well. 

Below, left to right, Silas, Knova, Landon, Carson, Diesel, Arnez, Luke, and Camden.

For the dessert at the party Silas picked the delicious cake that I always pick on my birthday...a German Chocolate cake, with caramel and sweetened condensed milk poured over the top, a Cool Whip topping with chocolate candy bar crumbles on the top (refrigerated). SO GOOD!

Happy 13th birthday to our boy! He is always eager to learn. He loves insects, reptiles, amphibians, and dogs. He is a musician...a super talented singer with a great ear. He is competitive and self-motivated. A great athlete, student, and friend. He is compassionate and kind-hearted, outgoing, and persistent. I'm so grateful that he is ours! Thank you, God, for the gift of Silas 13 years ago.