Redden's Birthday

I'm back but I'm not committing to anything! Redden requested a friend birthday seeming that he hasn't had one since we moved here to Oregon. He invited 7 of his favorite friends and his favorite brother to a pool party. We took all 8 of the crazy 8 year olds to the Community Pool for an hour of fun and swimming. Keeping track of 9 kids and a husband at the pool was absolutely insane. All Jessi and I did for a solid hour was count kids heads. As I waited outside the dressing room kids slowly started drifing out. After about 3 of them came out, they started saying that one of the boys couldn't find his jeans. 15 minutes later Rich comes out still dripping wet in a swim suit and says that he can't find them anywhere. He said he had opened every locker door, looked in the garbage, the showers, on top of lockers etc etc. I started to laugh and just told him to get dressed and lets go. On the way home I said how can you lose a pair of jeans in a locker room and he said "have you ever tried to keep track of 9 boys flinging clothes all over a locker room at a swimming pool? It wasn't as easy as it sounds". I thought that was hilarious. Needless to say 1 kid ending up wearing a swim suit home. We came back to our house and had cake and ice cream and opened gifts. He had so much fun and it was very interesting to watch how he interacts with his friends from school. All the kids he had over are the boys that the community is keeping together in soccer and basketball. So they are all friends and play all their sports together. He loved his birthday and I'm pretty sure that his friends love him! Happy 8th birthday Redden we absolutely love and adore you. You are a rule follower and get sick to your stomach when people around you are doing wrong. You sometimes believe that you are the only 1 who follows rules therefore you start to think that you need to be bossy. You have always been an example to those around you which we as your parents are extremely proud of. You have a little bit of a temper but we're working on that:) You love to play with people especially your brother and pretty much need someone to spur your imagination (then you can get going). You this year have learned to make scrambled eggs and quesadillas on your own, showing lots of responsibility. You love to follow recipes and ask for "soft cookies" (pumpkin chocolate chip) as you think they're your favorite right now. Your coaches say you're a "coach's dream" because they tell you what to do and they know you'll do it. No complaining and no questions asked. We love you Redden and hope now that you're 8 years old that you can be aware of the choices you're making and continue to strive to shine the light of Christ to those around you. Austin says his favorite thing about you is that you share you tech decks with him. Jessi loves you because you smile and hold her when she needs someone. Happy Birthday, love Mom and Dad

After his "birthday party" he got his gift from mom and dad on his "real birthday"