Another Teen in the House

Josh has officially entered into the teenage years!  He celebrated his 13th birthday this last week and has enjoyed the perks of becoming a teenager by having his first girl/boy party.

We combined birthday parties with two of his good friends that share a birthday week.  Since it was going to be such a large crowd, we had the party at the church.

As you can see, there wasn't much mingling going on.  The boys stayed on their side of the room and the girls kept to themselves.  Even when they were eating pizza there was a clear division.  We wanted the kids to intermingle so we played some games.

 We played partner tag where they were forced to stand with someone from the opposite sex.

We played some relay games where they had to accessorize the birthday kids.

We also played a winking game where you had to guess who was winking and if you were winked at you were out.  And we also had a gift exchange with all the party goers instead of having gifts for the birthday kids.  It was a fun night for the kids and the adults!

By the end of the night the kids were all one big happy family.

 

The birthday kids: Josh, Eli and Ella.

On Josh's actual birthday I checked him out of school and we went and got lunch together at Cafe Rio.  It was fun to be together to celebrate his birthday during the day.

 Josh's birthday night was packed full of scouts and young mens so we opened gifts late that night.  All Josh wanted for his birthday was his own iPod.  He had saved his money and then for his birthday we pitched in the last bit for him to get an iPod.  He was pretty happy about it!

13 Things We Love About Joshua

1. He is so accommodating and wants to please everyone.  He really goes out of his way to make sure others are happy.  He definitely puts others above himself.
2. He loves his friends.  He is learning more about having friends and being a friend.  After a rough sixth grade year, seventh grade has been great!
3. He loves sports, especially basketball.  He puts his heart and soul into whatever sport he plays.
4. He is so animated.  He knows how to have some fun!
5. He has been taking piano lessons and is very dedicated to his practicing.  I enjoy listening to him play.
6. He is very patient.  
7. He is also very quick to forgive.  Both are needed virtues at our house!
8. He likes to earn and save his own money.  He did a lot of extra work in the yard and mowing the lawn this last summer to earn money.
9. He loves his brothers and he supports them in all they do.  He loves watching his older brothers play basketball together and also attends Kayden's games.
10. He has learned that girls make pretty good friends.  He likes hanging out with them and he likes even more that the girls thinks he is funny and fun to be around.
11. He loves being with his dad.  They are so much alike!  
12. Josh learned how to play golf this year.  His Grandpa White taught him and they went golfing together every week until the weather got bad.
13. His room is always nice and tidy.  He got a room makeover this year and he has been great about keeping it nice and clean.  He enjoys being in his new room--especially sleeping in his bigger bed!

Love you Josh.  I couldn't be prouder of who you are.  So thankful you have a kind heart and was placed perfectly in the middle of our family!