There's a birthday boy in da house!

T - thoughtful, thinker, tranquil, talented

A - affectionate, advanced, adventurous, accomplished

Y - youthful, yield to authority

L - leader, loving, loyal

O - organized, observant, outstanding, original

R - resourceful, respectful, reliable

Today we celebrate the special person you are Taylor, and wish you a fun filled 12th birthday.

You gave us the privilege of becoming parents for the first time and we've enjoyed all the firsts of parenthood that we have experienced with you. You have been such a joy in our lives.

You also have such a wonderful spirit about you and never miss an opportunity to pull a quick one on your parents. Your humor and zest for life are a breath of fresh air and bring a smile to our face.

I see a bright and promising future for you my son. The sky is the limit. Live out your dreams and don't settle for anything less because you deserve the best that life has to offer.

We love you and are so proud of everything you do. We feel honored to call you our son.

Hugs and kisses on your special day today!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Of all the places

The kids each have their own Nintendo DS which has been a life saver on trips back to Indiana.  They have also been great for using them as a way to get the kids to do something they don't want to do.  For example, the kids are playing outside and it's time to come in for dinner.  They get upset and fight me.  So I say you either come inside now, or I take your DS away for a week.  (I'm such a meanie!)  For the most part the threats work because the kids love to play their video games.  

On our last trip to Indiana in January all 3 boys had their DS's, but the week following Taylor couldn't find his.  That did not surprise me much at all.  He always seems to be misplacing things and asking me where they are as if I would wear his shoes or his backpack, etc.  So of course he asked me if I knew where his DS was.  Hmm, last time I played it.... No Taylor, I do not play your DS, therefore, I do not know where you put it last.  I told him to retrace his steps and try to recall when and where the last time he had played it.  No luck.  

I asked his brothers if maybe they had seen it around the house since they've been known to swap and play each others DS.  But, they were no help either.  We pretty much gave up looking and gave up hope that we'd find it.  

That was until today.

I decided to do a little rearranging of decorations I have throughout the house.  I went to put a glass jar up above the cabinets which required me to stand up on the counter and notice all the dust on top which is going to remain up there until the dusting fairy arrives.  And what did my eyes behold - you guessed it - Taylor's DS.  I am guessing he put it up there to hide it from his brothers who would no way ever guess to look in that spot nonetheless reach it.  

The only problem with that hiding spot is that it was so good, Taylor forgot about it as well.  

States and Capitals - Let's review.

This week Taylor has a test covering half of the states and capitals, which includes knowing their geographical location and the correct spelling.  He brought home a "filmstrip" project to use as a study guide.  I think I better help him with the spelling on these three.

First we have Hawii (also known as Hawaii, Honolulu)

 This just tells me the boy's been playing too much Wii!

Then we have Calafornia with the capital being Scaremento (also known as California, Sacramento, although Scare is a good word to go with parts of CA such as LA).

And last we have the 'Only' one left, Washington with the capital of Onlypia (also known as Olympia.)

Looks like we've got some studying to do.