Joseph is 7!!!

Our kids are all just about 2 years apart, some people call it "stepladder" . . .. Well, on the 8th of this month, our third "rung" turned a year older, completing the sequence - Rebekah - 9, Joseph - 7, and Jonathan - 5. He requested a pool party, and there are only a few ways to complete this request: rent a party room with a pool, know someone who has a pool and will host your party, or have a pool yourself. Secretly (or not so secretly) I have been wanting to invest in one for our family since we have about 1 month in the year where it would be too "cold" to swim. So, we made the plunge (no pun intended, Sky!) and purchased a 12' soft sided pool. On his birthday, we came to the school with a cake so that we could celebrate. His friends sang to him in English and in Spanish. After school he picked the restaurant VIPS where we enjoyed a famiy meal and the kids had their pick of food and ice cream for dessert. The following day was the party at our house during the early afternoon. He invited kids from school and from church. It used to be my "thing" to make a special cake for each child on their birthday. I think I got that from my mom (good memories!). But, since we've been here, I've decided to give up on making the cake (stress, heat, weird oven, comparitive cost of store-bought cakes, etc.). I did, however, make the food. We enjoyed sloppy joes and chili dogs and all the stuff that goes with it. These were some "new eats" for our Spanish-speaking friends. Very yummy!

www.flickr.com kelmom23's Kids' Celebrations photoset

Click on the flickr link in order to see more photos of Joseph!

Joseph seemed to enjoy himself and that always makes a mom smile.
Happy Birthday, honey - we love you!!!