Happy Birthday (baby) Boy!

Like most Americans, July 4th is an important holiday in this house; however, it's more than celebrating our country's independence that makes it such a special day. You see, on July 4, 2001, K and I graduated from man and wife to mommy and daddy.

Buckled up and ready to see Rose Towers crumble!

Fireworks and Yankee Doodle took on a whole new meaning for us. This year we celebrated our sweet boy's 11th birthday. This parenting thing has been quite a ride and it's not over yet!

The only bad thing about a holiday birthday is that it's nigh-on impossible to have friends over for a party on your actual birthday. Holdyn has enjoyed ten blow-out birthday extravaganzas complete with family, swimming, and fireworks, but he's never had (in his words) a "real birthday." This year we did things a little differently. As any normal, red-blooded American boy would wish, Holdyn's birthday began with a bang, literally, as we watched the implosion of an old dorm on the UA campus. That was a cool experience! I've never witnessed a building implosion in-person. I'll post the footage later as it's on K's phone, not mine. The implosion was over by 8:10a and it was already hotter than the seventh level of hell, so we headed home to nap in air-conditioned comfort. The rest of the day was filled with video games, movies, cookie cake, and laziness as requested by the birthday boy. He even asked for "birthday alone time" and stayed home while K, the girls, and I made a quick trip to the mall.

I hope this and all his wishes come true!

Twelve hours after the initial birthday bang, we loaded up and headed to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater to hear patriotic tunes and see a fireworks spectacular. The TSO provided the music and the fireworks were amazing! Thanks to our dear friend, Diana, and her generous gift of tickets, we were able to sit in comfy seats at the amphitheater to watch the show. It was the first time in about three years that we'd been to a large fireworks show and we loved it! By the time we got home we were beat. It's surprising how draining a lazy day can be! ;)

All in all, I'd say the boy had a good birthday and it's not over yet. Saturday a few of his friends are coming over for a video game-a-thon. (His dream come true!)

So, happy birthday to my Holdy-boy! I hope your day was filled with family, friends, and fun, too.

Much Love, J