Eleven

Eleven years old.

This week Michael celebrated another birthday;
his second on Filipino soil!

In preparation to celebrate,
we all pitched in.

Amy and Michael combined time,
cellophane,
creativity,
tape and scissors

to produce streamers and flags,

Elise designed a birthday banner,
and I baked up a batch of cappuccino muffins for breakfast!

Michael's hope was to take his friends to a local pool for an evening swim.

But then, wishes don't always come true.

The 24th dawned cloudy, with rain on and off all day.
Not the best evening for a swim.
Maybe another day, Michael...

But none of his friends seemed to mind too much
that we just stayed home.

The boys played games,
tried out Michael's new Nerf gun,
(perfect choice, Grandma, for boys without much area to maneuver in!)

played some DS and watched a movie,

feasted on Pizza Hut pizza and Mountain Dew,

played balloon volleyball and statue tag,

opened gifts,

(cool binoculars!)

and topped it off with chocolate cake and ice cream.

We give thanks to God for the gift of you, Michael!

And we pray, that even in the disappointments, you will see His good gifts extended to you in love, and that you will, all your life, be full of heartfelt thanksgiving!