Wow! It is really hard to believe that much time has passed. Scarily it has and looking at our photos shows the dramatic changes in our faces and bodies! They are dramatic and are not subtle. Still, compared to those changes a boy undergoes from completing the thirteenth to the fourteenth year I have to be happy and grateful.
This year there were mostly requests for Dungeons and Dragons material. This made for some laughter and some relief from the electronic gadgets and gizmos.
There has been a significant increase in social behavior with close friends over the recent months which was an encouraging change and welcome departure from the self-isolation that raised some concerns shared by some teachers. We have not reached the adolescent state of hearing grunts, groans, or single-syllable words that other parents have mentioned experiencing. Yay!
Ryan did have an interesting birthday request consisting of multiple family meals for the birthday week being filled with his favorite dishes. Two mandatory dishes were split-pea and ham soup, garnished heavily, and I mean heavily, with bacon! The second, and we think, still the all-time winner, was Mama's lasagne. The cake choice is always peculiar to Ryan, who shunned everything normal for frozen yogurt. However, given that the birthday fell on a Swiss holiday combined with cold, rainy weather, the store was closed. A backup request was for banana bread. Growing up as a kid in the UK I don't think I ever had that as an option and didn't migrate from the US until I reached adulthood.
Here he is making a wish, blowing out the candles on his homemade (by Mama and according to Sparrow Bakery, Bend Oregon recipe, and instructions) banana bread cake.
Hayley looks so impressed.
Here is Ryan opening the cards and gifts.
You will notice that the superhero balloons for Batman and two Spidermen are present guarding the scene and ensuring our safety.
An important part of birthday celebrations is spending time with your closest friends. This year only Julian was available but he made up for it by spending the night and lots of gaming.
As for Spidermen and Batman, your guess is as good as ours! Suggestions or captions welcome!
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