Anderson: 9 years old

This kid is 9 & I am so confused as to how he is not at least 14 yet. 

I love hanging up the pics on their birthdays-festivities that involve documentation are my favorite. I have zero actual pictures hanging on my walls, but I will always get the birthday pics up a week early. 

For his "party" he just wanted Jack & Noah to go to Main Event & spend the night, so that is exactly what we did and it was so much fun. 

Watching them on this virtual ride was hilarious. 

Laser Tag! Max refused to leave the Jurassic Park game to engage in these shenanigans, but the other 3 had fun!

I couldn't find Brandon at one point and, after searching, found him winning all of the tickets, surrounded by the kids. 

We were going to order pizza at home (because I am cheap,) but decided at the last minute that a party calls for pizza at the party place. 

Max was OWNING shuffleboard & so proud of himself. 

High-quality prizes for all!

I love that I can always default to Brandon to fix things, no matter what it is. Noah did not know how to use this and I sent him to Brandon, who immediately rocked it out. 

Cookie cake for the win, always.

Also, $1 store New Year Eve hats and leftover random party stuff from past parties for the win!

One of the coolest things that has happened to Anderson occurred right before he was 9. He wrote a letter to Congressman Burchett asking for a Presidential Nomination to West Point when he graduates from high school. In such a cool twist, a friend of mine knows him & set up a breakfast meeting!

So cool. 

Anderson said the best part was meeting a real Navy Seal. 

It seemed like we celebrated his birthday for at least 100 years. One of our favorite things was the scavenger hunt that ended with the junk box find. 

I always love when I get a real smile from this kid. 

Perk of your brother's birthday: you get junk, too. 

The scavenger hunt. 

Anderson is playing a winter league of flag football &, of course, LOVES it!

Noni kept his all on day on his birthday & made it way more fun that I would have if he was with me. 

On his actual birthday, we had pizza & cake with family and watched the National Championship game. 

His favorite gift was from Aunt Manda. 

We love this kid so much AND are so grateful that he is ours. His intensity, competitiveness, lack of desire to sleep and analytical approach toward everything are unparalleled and we cannot wait to see where life continues to take him. 

some links:

A & Jack at Main Event

A open chromebook

A 9th birthday

A scavenger hunt 9

Christmas Break

Many, many (many, many) hours filled our break and we spent more of it at home then we ever have on a break. 

I lost every round of "Yeti in my spaghetti" that we played. Literally, every round. 

Lots of physical stalking of me by the little people. 

Swimming at the Y with Noni!

I invited every friend we know over at some point. 

So much Christmas candy to keep this one entertained during basketball. 

Even though it was rainy, the weather was pretty warm, so we spent a lot of time outside. 

A rare moment of collaboration-spying on the neighbors. 

Trons. 

Sometimes the playing is worth it-Max wrote this to me. 

I brought home butcher paper and it was maybe the highlight of the break. 

Outside + friends+ not raining for 5 seconds=thankful. 

$1 slime literally got more play time than any other toy. 

He was mad at me here because I was making him do his homework. 

He was mad at me here about something, too. I cannot remember the details. 

Nosebleed from a scooter crash...sounds about right

Max made Anderson some V-bucks for Fortnite. A rare moment of sibling love. 

A boy, a bb gun and a tree at his Noni's.

Happy 2019! Anderson made it to midnight, but Max did not quite hang that long. 

We were"toasting" and Max requested real toast. 

Noni & Bop spent New Year's Eve with us and they brought games and dinner. 

We crashed together since Brandon was at work until 4am. 

We did quite a bit of snuggling, especially when this one came down with another stomach bug. 

Legos & Soccer. 

Lots of attempts at entertaining...booger slime.

Every moment that it maybe stopped raining or warmed up, we went outside. 

And then back inside for activities like play-doh....gag.

Lots & lots of park visits with the Brimers.

I love how my kids catch animals everywhere we go. 

Also, lots of this fun with Max. 

Silly string war-Max's favorite. 

Some videos:

Max flossing

Our elf video

Max trying to jump over a box

Anderson at basketball practice