Turning 11

Caulder man turned 11!

This dude just keeps getting more and more awesome. And gigantic. And smart. And grown up. And handsome. And so flipping hilarious.

We celebrated with strawberry churro tacos for breakfast.

Since, after 11 years, we've decided to try being fun hip parents and let our kids actually have birthday parties with their friends, we started bugging Twist to invite some buddies. He kept saying, "I don't know, Mom. What will we do? Will it just be awkward?"

And then we remembered that he's never been a guy for big crowds, and we decided to just take his bestie Braxon out to dinner and Nickel Mania with the fam. 

Caulder, being the 70-year-old 11-year-old that he is, of course chose The Cracker Barrel for his birthday dinner. ("I love the fried shrimp plate!" he told us.) Plus they have his all-time favorite drink: orange cream soda. 

After stuffing our faces we hit the nickel cade, gave these two each their own bag of nickels, and set them loose. 

The big boys all had a blast. 

I spent the entire time seeing hepatitis everywhere and wondering what sort of flesh-eating diseases we'd take him with us for Caulder's birthday. 

*Shudders*

On Twist's actual birthday we partied with the family. Caulder decided to go with one of his favorite birthday treats for the party: the chocolate fountain. 

We dipped marshmallows, pretzels, bananas, raspberries, strawberries, jelly beans, grapes, blueberries, and - of course - bacon.

It was messy. Grandpa Farney dribbled all down his fancy cowboy shirt, so we made him wear an eating cape.

Caulder decided he needed his magical staff and a throne for opening presents. I mean, he was king for the day, so it was pretty appropriate.

Rand lounged nearby watching the whole affair in amazement.

He asked for slippers, gardening shears, a rubix cube, and a Barnes & Noble gift card. I feel like those things all go perfectly with The Cracker Barrel.

He also got spoiled with his favorite treats (white cheddar cheezits, gatorade, chocolate, and orange cream soda), some books, a motorcycle helmet, a couple of video games, and some cash.

And then we sang happy birthday using all of his favorite treats:

That night it was his turn to say prayers, and he said he was grateful that he had so many people who came to his birthday party and who love him.

Man, we're lucky to have this kid. I can't believe he's already 11. Happy Birthday Twist!