What's a normal family mean?: Josiah's 9th Birthday

We celebrated Josiah's birthday this past weekend. His birthday was on Saturday so he wanted to do something for his class on Friday at school. I gave him a few suggestions and he decided on bringing fresh honeybuns. I try to change it up every year instead of cupcakes. For kindergarten he brought cake pops, 1st grade he brought a piñata and last year he brought snowcones.

Friday after school Josiah had 2 friends come over for a sleepover. He wanted to invite more, but I didn't think I could handle more than that. Especially with Titus in the mix.

We had pizza and cake and ice cream.

He really liked his cake. Josiah has taken over my love of reading Archie comics now.

The boys had a blast playing basketball and football. They also played the Wii and play station a lot too. I'm glad they had a good time. I had to keep heading off the wrestling though. Why do boys do that? I mean they go for blood and broken bones. I just can't handle it.

Saturday was Josiah's actual birthday. I cooked a big breakfast for everyone.

After breakfast Josiah couldn't wait any longer and asked to open his presents. After pretending he didn't get any for awhile, we finally gave in.

"Christmas paper, Mom? Really?!?!?

He finally got his beloved Minecraft game. He has begged for that game for about 6 months now. I downloaded it on his tablet and he got the Minecraft sword.

So this was a BIRTHDAY FAIL..............

I bought him 2 special editions of Archie comic books. One is where Jughead gets married and the other one Archie gets shot and killed. I didn't expect him to cry when he read the caption, but he did. Lol. Oops. Way to go, Amy!!! I was sure to tell him that he was the one who ate him the night before on his birthday cake. Ha

He started playing Minecraft almost immediately and his friend had to go on home.

Maynard, me, and Millie took a cat nap from being up so late the night before.

We woke up and Josiah was ready to go spend his birthday money. Our church takes up an offering for all the kids on their birthdays plus Tara had given him money.

I dread going to the store with my kids when they have their own money. It's antagonizing. They don't understand the value of things and can't make up their minds. It's brutal!!!!

Maynard was with us and was able to help him make up his mind more quickly. He ended up buying a nerf gun with extra bullets, sketch pads, pencils, colored pencils, gum, and a face mask. He still has some money leftover, but he didn't see anything else he wanted so he's going to save it.

As we were leaving Walmart we noticed a display out front offering a simulated boat ride. Well.... Why not?

They all 3 got to take turns driving. It had a big screen in front of them that they had to try to stay on a path in the water. They enjoyed it.

Now it was time for Josiah's birthday dinner.

He suggested:

"Mr. Gaitti's!!!"

"No way. We had pizza last night."

"Golden Corral!!!"

"Nope. Too expensive and y'all drive me crazy in there running back and forth while I try to finish my 1st plate."

"Shiloh's? A salad sounds good to me."

"Well, if that's what you really want." Ha ha (because it's what Momma really wanted)

So we went to shilohs where we all shared salads and then the birthday boy got a free brownie.

I used to make the kids share with each other, but I quit doing that. It's their special day so they should be able to eat the whole thing if they want. Then on their birthday they get to eat their own desert by themselves.

Since we had all eaten too much sweets that day I suggested us going to the park to go on a hike through one of the trails. I hadn't ever been on one there before so we thought we would try it out.

We all loved it. There were trails made in the middle of the woods. We had to walk over tiny bridges over little streams. The weather was cool and perfect.

We only walked a mile because the boys were chomping at the bit to go play basketball. I dropped them off down the road at the ball court with Maynard, and I went back to walk some more. It was a little bit more creepy walking by myself. I'm not sure what made me start thinking of Indians and Johnny Appleseed while I was going though the woods alone. Ha ha

We spent some time playing at the playground before heading home.

Little daredevil.