Evan is a Teenager!

It's official now.  We have a teenager.  I have kind of considered him a teen for a while now because he is very mature for his age, but I have noticed a few changes in him in the last few months.  He is definitely wanting to hang out with his parents and younger siblings less and less.  He will often sit with his earbuds in his ears whether or not he is listening to music.  I don't know if that is because he thinks it looks cool or just to tune us all out.  Haha!  He gives us the teenager stink eye glare a lot more too.  The teen attitude has definitely made its appearance.  How long will this last?  Of course, I am also growing a bit sad thinking we only have about five more years with him at home.  He has big dreams to accomplish and will likely not be at home much after he graduates from high school.  Sigh.  We still wanted to celebrate this special day with our still precious big baby boy.  I have especially hated this pandemic for him because he is definitely our more social child who craves interactions with friends.  He is lucky to have a best friend neighbor across the road, but he misses school and sports.  I hate that he missed his final days at his old school with his friends, but I can't wait to get him established in his new school, sports, and church activities.  I know he will thrive and be successful wherever he goes. 

I made my big teenager a chocolate soccer ball cake.  Soccer is still his favorite sport, and I hope he will be on a good team when we move. 

He is wearing his favorite Adidas soccer shirt.  Yes, he prefers athletic wear all the time. 

So grown up and handsome.  Where is my little baby?  

He's still there and will always be mama's baby. 

I think this was doughnuts for breakfast time.  Grayson is probably Evan's favorite little brother right now.  They both love to wrestle and play rough.  They gang up on poor Brody and Mattox. 

For his birthday supper, we were able to go to his favorite wing restaurant, Wild Wing Cafe.  They stayed open longer than most establishments and implemented stricter seating policies and other measures for their staff.  We all felt very safe, and Evan got his favorite meal. 

Baby sister Maggie looks the most like baby Evan so it is nice to have her to remind me.  

Mommy and Mattox and Brody enjoyed celebrating too.

We love you to the moon and back, Evan!  Keep making us proud in all you do!

Evan's 12th Birthday

Evan is our little social butterfly in the family and has always loved having lots of friends to celebrate his birthday.  In the last few years of moving twice, it became more difficult to put on big parties with family so far away and leaving so many friends behind.  I am glad we were able to give Evan a little party for his 12th birthday.  He was able to enjoy his birthday with some of his very special friends here.  Sadly, one of his best pals would soon be moving away because of the army so I am glad Evan had this special experience with him. Evan doesn't care as much about presents, but we had gifted him a laser tag set so that he and his friends could play a fun game of laser tag (a.k.a. running around in the yard pretending to shoot one another).

We had a little family celebration first.  Evan picked out a black forest cake at the local grocery store bakery.  It was pretty good.  

Yep, 12 candles on the cake! Mattox wanted to help him. 

Brody helped too. 

I can't believe my first baby is 12 years old and about as tall as me now.  

Can you tell how much his little brothers love him?

All of the boys enjoyed the cake. 

I just made some simple football cupcakes for his little party.  There were some gift bags for his guests.  The laser tag guns were ready. 

First, the boys enjoyed some pizza. Evan invited Canon and Coby, his church friends; Lee and Davis, his neighbor friends; Jamin, his best school and church buddy; and another school and sports buddy, Gabe, who hadn't arrived yet. 

Gabe did arrive in time for cake. 

Lee and Evan are more like brothers (and twins just one week apart) than just friends.  They have been inseparable since we moved in across the road.  They have so much in common, including their light red hair. 

Gabe, Evan, and Davis teamed up for laser tag while Lee and Canon teamed up.  I don't have a picture of the other team, Coby and Jamin.  They are not as cooperative.  We split up all the siblings on separate teams to make it interesting.  Haha! 

A nighttime game of laser tag sounds like an adventure. 

 12 YEARS OF EVAN

Our sweet baby boy has grown up into an amazing, kind, sweet, caring, smart, strong, and ambitious little man. 

Evan's Last Year of Cub Scouts

Sadly, Evan started his last year of Cub Scouts this year.  Although he has had to change troops three times because of our moves, he has really experienced a lot through the Cub Scouts.  I think it has been a great bonding experience for him and his dad too.  They have enjoyed their camping experiences a lot over the years.  Our last Cub Scout troop was very active, and Evan was able to accomplish a lot with that troop.  This year with his new troop has been pretty slow in comparison, and his new troop does not seem to be as active.  After he crosses over into Boy Scouts, we will see if he wants to continue his journey.  Most of the Boy Scout activities will be pretty independent and do require a lot more of his time and commitment, and I know sports and academics are also pretty important parts of his life so we will see what he decides.

Evan had the important job of carrying the troop flag on the first big pack meeting of the year.  

He really enjoys helping at little brother's meetings.  He found a neat feather while exploring. 

If he stays in the Boy Scouts, he will have to wear the full outfit.  His current shirt will still be used in Boy Scouts, but he will have to wear green pants or shorts and socks too.  He was lined up to receive some more awards for some accomplishments on the first camping trip of the year. 

This kid is truly a well-rounded person and enjoys just about everything he tries.  He loves shooting guns and bows and arrows and playing chess and doing more academic activities. I tell him all the time he was just the "perfect" first son because he has truly shown us how awesome boys can be. 

He enjoyed having little brother join him on some camping trips this year. 

The first camping trip of the year was in August for a special campout with the Boy Scouts to learn how to be a Boy Scout.  They split up into Boy Scout patrols and learned how to camp on their own.  It was so hot to camp outdoors in South Georgia in August.  Daddy made them a "redneck" air conditioner for the tent with a foam cooler, ice, and a fan.  Evan also practiced his knot tying skills. 

They were camping just down the road from us at Fort McAllister State Park which was one of many earthen forts in the area to protect Savannah during the Civil War.  It is located at the mouth of the Ogeechee River. 

It was so hot that Evan was thankful the fort's gift shop sold ice cream.  They also made pizza and some desserts for dinner. 

Hanging out after dark with flashlights, helping one another put up tents, and playing chess.

Evan taught little brother how to sell popcorn, and Evan received more awards at the last big pack meeting. 

The troop camped out again this weekend, but we couldn't make it for the whole weekend.  We went for the activities during the day.  Evan's pal, Blake, was an overachiever carrying this big log when they were supposed to gather firewood so Evan helped him.  They also attempted to start a fire with different techniques and tools like flint and a piece of glass.  They also made dutch oven apple pies for the troop.  

Fun at the Mall

Back in Raleigh, we loved our favorite Pullen Park and the fun little train and carousel that were only a dollar to ride.  I know that nothing can ever really beat that place, but the boys really missed riding the train and carousel.  The only comparable ones here in this area are at the mall in Savannah so for one of our last summer outings before back to school, we spent a Friday at the mall eating lunch, riding the rides, and doing a little back to school shopping as well.  It was a fun day for all.

We enjoyed our favorite meals at Chick-fil-a.  

The cute but overpriced train and carousel.  The carousel did have a cute little teacup to ride in so I sat in it with the younger boys. 

The boys just enjoy playing with the little cars even if I don't put money in them.  

Mattox loved making us spin. 

I love that my almost teenager still loves riding the carousel.  If I could just keep him little.  Sigh. 

  

Mommy and her littlest baby.  Can't I just keep at least this one small? 

My big boys riding the train.  Evan rode with Mattox on the caboose while Brody insisted on riding solo. 

Trying for a picture in front of the train can be complicated when a toddler just wants to get back on. 

But he was quickly distracted by these cool rides.  I let him and Brody enjoy this one that had a little screen show to watch. 

Boys can be content with the smallest gestures. 

I love that little bus driver.  He gave big brothers a ride. 

Future race car drivers maybe?  Brody and Mattox definitely share a love of cars. 

We also enjoyed the little soft play area where Mattox and Grayson could play. 

Mattox just adores his baby brothers. 

Evan is a very attentive big brother and loves playing with his babies. 

Evan led Mattox through the rainbow tunnel.  How much longer do I have before Evan will no longer enjoy hanging out with his little brothers?