Big Ten

Keith turned TEN on Monday.  Double digits for my one and only boy.  Unbelievable!

I did my usual thing and kept putting off putting together a party for him.  It's really difficult since his birthday always falls on the school's winter break.  And then he has another friend who has a birthday at the same time, so we're always competing for party days/times.  And then Keith couldn't decide WHERE he wanted his party.  So then of course we got the invite from the friend for the same day we were hoping to have Keith's party (I told the mom that next year we just need to tag team our parties).  Anyway, I ended up just emailing the parents of his friends to see if they were going out of town for the break, and whether or not we could try to get together.  And then I finally talked Keith into having his party at the Y.  He was adamant he did NOT want a swimming party, but he was cool with it when I told him they could play games/basketball in the gym instead.  And then after lots of phone tag and NO CALLS BACK from the nicer newer Y, I finally just called the Y that's actually closer to the house.  They responded immediately.  A time slot was open, and I SNAGGED it.  And can you believe it, only ONE of his friends couldn't make it due to a basketball tournament.  YES!

Anyway, there were seven boys and two girls (sorry, buddy, I'm paying for 12 people, so yes, your sisters are coming to the party, too!).  Those boys played HARD and had an absolute BALL.  I basically didn't have to do a THING--the party people there did everything including the cleaning up.  And even when I realized as we were about to eat our pizza that I forgot to bring a drink (wt..?), the Y folks had ALREADY NOTICED and filled up pitchers with ice water for the kids.  I could not have been happier with this party!

Keith wanted a cookie cake.  I had the store put a basketball and hoop on it with "Big Ten".  I know Keith didn't get the reference, but John and I thought it was a cool idea.  (Keith loves to play his basketball, but he just hasn't really been schooled yet on all the conferences.  We are apparently bad former-Hoosiers.)

Now Keith's room is awash with Legos, Legos, and more Legos.  John is somewhat miffed because he wanted to be all cool dad and help Keith put together a few of these Lego projects, but Keith didn't want the help.  Sorry, dad.

In other news, John decided to sign Mary up for a springboard diving class during the break.  She gave him grief about it.  She just didn't want to do it.  John just had a feeling that if she just TRIED it....  And wouldn't ya know it?  He was right.  She is LOVING it and doing really well with it.  The coach says, "You're only in sixth grade?  So that means I have to wait two more years before you can compete?!"  See, Mary, sometimes we DO know what's best for you!

So with Mary doing the springboard diving this week and Keith doing a few pitching clinics, poor Izzy is the only one stuck at home with no activities planned.  She's bummed.  At least she DOES have a birthday party to go to tomorrow (crap!  we still need to get a gift!). 

NO going to the water park for break this year.  It's just too costly right now.  And really, what fun would *I* have sitting along the sidelines like a beached whale?  And traveling even only four hours while nine months pregnant is generally frowned upon.

Oh!  And John and I finally had our Christmas Concert last week, too!  Santa was pretty smart giving me tickets to see Rain, a Beatle's tribute band.  The show was really well run and the band sounded GREAT.  The George was a very impressive guitarist.  If we go again, we'll try to bring the kids.  They would have loved it (especially Keith).  I got all decked out because I had a maternity dress someone gave me, SO I COULD.  Of course, walking just across the street from the parking garage to the venue was a bit of a chore.  Not to mention walking up and down the stairs.  My back and hip are just NOT cooperating this pregnancy!

Countdown is on!  2-4 weeks until baby!!!!