ted's 8th birthday!

Ted turned 8 last Saturday. He's half way to 16. Seven was a great year for him. His reading has improved greatly and he is starting to enjoy it more and more. He improved by leaps and bounds in his sports skills, which makes it WAY easier for me to enjoy playing with him. Except when he wants to run football routes. I don't like that one. I would say we are about equal at this point in our skill levels. He played soccer, basketball, baseball and football as a 7 year old. Baseball and football are his favorite. Ted finished 1st grade with a bang and has started 2nd grade out well. His teachers continue to confirm that he is a good friend and a good example to his friends. He's a great big brother, most of the time. And he still loves to snuggle in bed at night at talk. He asks a zillion questions a day. He and Ben purchased Madden 25 for the xBox and it's a really fun thing for them to do together. He went to 2 Mountaineer football games just this season and LOVES it. He has a new-found love of the St. Louis Rams because of Stedman Baily and Tayvon Austin. It is, however, a bummer that most of their games are not televised in our viewing area. But he doesn't seem to mind. His Independence is so helpful. Ted has a big heart. I loved him being 7. It was a super fun year for us.

Please note that this sign will remain hanging until the middle of January to celebrate the births of Ben, Jesus & me. There's really no reason to take it down. 

Ted opened gifts after he and Ben got back from the WVU game on his birthday. He got a rainbow loom - those crazy bracelets are everywhere. And a multi-game that includes chess, which he is all about this year. We're still waiting on a delivery for his last gift.

We went to New Martinsville to celebrate this past weekend. 

Like I said, a new found love of the Rams.

Doh makes the prettiest and yummiest cakes.

He got a money tree for his birthday. Way cool! We are headed to Pinocchio's after school to pick out some new Play Mobil.

 

 

Doh taught him how to play solitaire.

 

 Alex & Ted played some Mario Kart.

And Gary Pap taught him so more about chess.

 

On his actual birthday, Ben took Ted to the Texas Tech game.

 

What's a Mountaineer game without some Zul's?

They sat with John & Shawna and Derek & Lisa.

 No pictures of Derek.

Let's Go . . . Mountaineers!

Soaking wet after the game while playing football in the rain with some other kids at their tailgate.

Ted had a most excellent birthday!
Happy birthday, Pal!

And to make the most of the fact that I'm actually catching up on the blog . . .

Meanwhile, Sophie and I held down the fort at the parking lot. It was a little chilly and no friends to play with that week so we hung out mostly in the van.

 

For awhile it was fine.

Then we took a trip to South America with Sophie's 3 daughters, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. ages 3, 2 & 1. She was a very good traveler. Stopped for her babies to use the potty and eat. But only one child at a time. She'll have to learn to make the most of her pit stops.

 

And after our long trip to South America, it all really fell apart.

 So, there you have it. Ted's 8th birthday!