Happy Birthday!

Carter turned 13 this year! He's excited to be old enough to watch PG-13 movies, though he had permission to see a few already. Carter is such a hard worker and very independent. School comes very easily for Carter, and he makes high As in all his classes. One of his spiritual gifts is connecting with younger children; he is very patient and willing to be part of their silly playing. For example, in January we went to The Downtown Aquarium for a preschool field trip on Martin Luther King day. A single mom from our church was there with her 5 children under the age of 9. Carter took one of the rambunctious 6-year-old twins and became his best friend for the day, doing whatever rides with the boy that he wanted. It was such a service to the mom and so unselfish on Carter's part to play "babysitter" when he didn't need to. Carter still enjoys playing baseball, but has found a new love in football which he tried for the first time last fall. He also tried out for the tennis team at the beginning of March and is playing line 2. Caleb and I have each given him some lessons, and he has picked up the sport very quickly! He struggles with consistency, which is expected, but he's improving at a rapid rate. Carter is in percussion, but he's not dedicated to it like he is to sports. Cooking is an interest that may play into future high school classes. His relationship with Bryson is a little less toxic now, but still not great. Carter can be the sweetest kid and initiates saying "I love you" before he leaves for school each day or before he hangs up the phone. We are very proud of the young man he is becoming!

He got a tennis racket, a nice pillow, a can of freeze-dried strawberries (that he finished off that day!), and a water bottle. Grandma and Grandpa got him those slides pictured above that are apparently all the rage right now.

 

Taquitos was his birthday dinner request and banana cream pie for dessert!

He celebrated his birthday with friends the next night with an informal party--movie night and sundaes, no presents.

For my 40th birthday Matt arranged dinner and gaming with some close friends. I told him I did NOT want a big party. Matt made his homemade lasagna and a knock-off Carabba's bread dip, which I love. We played Wingspan and chatted until late. I tried hard to stay in my 30s, but time keeps marching on!