On December 1, Evan unbelievably turned 13! For the first time, he was very specific about his celebration. He's asserting himself and developing self-awareness! Yay!
He requested shrimp kebobs for his special dinner.
He asked for cheesecake for his birthday cake, and Burke whipped this up. Props to Burke. This was his first cheesecake and it was so good. After singing and slicing, it became a strawberry cheesecake sundae from the Serendipity 3 cookbook (a fave NYC restaurant).
We had trouble lighting the candle.
But then we got it lit!
Happy birthday to our not-so-little bug!
He opened some presents!
Nana and Lolo performed their best ever rendition of Happy Birthday via video call.
Ever the active, social kiddo, he asked to have a party with his lunch table friends. These are primarily kiddos who went to his elementary school, and they have remained close. We went to Slackers for laser tag and video games.
unlimited laser tag
Caleb and Emily played some laser tag, but didn't have the same stamina for it as the 7th-9th graders. Good thing Slackers has some bouncy fun options. The big boys are aged out of the bouncing fun.
another fun game, some sort of don't-break-the-laser challenge
This looked fun too.
It was like whack-a-mole, but you had to hit the flashing buttons.
We were so grateful that Grammy, Grampy, Steve, Joey, Christine, Caleb and Emily could join us too! Evan picked out this cake too, and Burke whipped it up from scratch. Evan and Ryan were responsible for candy application. It was so delicious.
Evan is such a sweet young man. He has big thoughts and feelings. He sometimes misses details, usually because he's distracted by a screen or something else. Evan learns lessons in his own time, sometimes the difficult way. He's compelled to talk out things that are bothering him. I am so thankful for that. He's quick to help, and happy to help. He's funny, expressive, smart, sporty, and full of energy. He recently reflected that he was excited for his birthday because birthdays are fun, and he's eager to be taller, but he doesn't look forward to mounting responsibilities that come with age, and he's not pumped about the idea of moving out of the house someday. We just love our Little E Teen.
