The Best And Worst Birthday. Ever.

Last Thursday began as a wonderful day. We sang to Isaac and kept bugging him with Primary birthday songs. Then he went to school with a treat to share with his class. After school I asked how it went and did the kids like the treat. He said they didn't celebrate his birthday. He was so bummed. So I quickly emailed his teacher just to make sure he got to pass the treat out on Friday. She was so sweet and apologetic. She was being observed and was a little frazzled and forgot the fun stuff. So we went on with our afternoon, planning dinner and waiting for dad to get home so he could open gifts.

Then that dreaded phone call came. It was our brother in law Brian. Mom and dad were in a car accident and all he knew was that they were on their way by ambulance to the hospital and had to be extricated from the vehicle. When I got off the phone I told the kids and we knelt down for a quick prayer. My kids were so scared. We didn't know anything and were just praying for the best. I reminded them that all their cousins and aunts and uncles were now praying for them and that they would be okay.

We went on with our evening as best we could. Isaac was found in his bed at one point, under the covers and very upset. I asked what was the most upsetting. He said he was worried about Grandma. Oh baby! I was worried too. But we needed to wait to know more.

Then we had cake. You will find that chocolate cake is a serious business here. I baked and frosted a total of 3 cakes this weekend. Oh chocolate cake. Lovely chocolate cake! And yes, only three candles. I was not prepared.Isaac opened his gifts. We've made turning 12 a spiritual gift opportunity. Isaac got a new scripture case, scripture markers, tabs on his scriptures to make scripture chase a faster business, 4 new ties, pristine undershirts, his very own mini Hymn book, and a Moroni and the Title of Liberty tie tack. He was not impressed. Grandpa had sent his gift over earlier in the day. That gift trumped mom's idea of a good time. He also got, from the fun dad, a storage box for his NXT robot and a sound sensor. Or something. I know so little of such things.

Friday bloomed brighter. Even though Grandma had some bone fractures in her neck, back and ribs, she would be fine. She would need to be in the hospital and then stay in a care center. But she would be fine. Grandpa had some torn ligaments in his shoulder, but was able to go home and would heal up fine.

Isaac got to pass out his treats in class, too. yay! Then another phone call. "Mom, I hurt my hand. Will you please come get me?" Isaac jammed his pinkie finger while catching a ball. It was swollen and he couldn't move it. So I got him home and on ice. Happy birthday! The next day it was bruised and still swollen. This is how it looks today. Still bruised and a little swollen, but not hurting as much. We went out to dinner to celebrate his birthday and had a fun evening. Despite the hurt finger.Saturday bloomed bright with dad heading to the hospital to be with Grandma. She was bored and wanted to go home, but doing well. Isaac had invited his friends over for a birthday bash. My thought that morning was that if these boys didn't come, Isaac would have chalked this birthday up to being the very worst EVER! Luckily they all came. Here's the cake. The second cake. Notice the mom got "12" candles this time.

The cake turned into a facial for some of the boys. Sam decided to join the sticky fun. To our great relief, the boys who left with sticky hair and faces have wonderful mothers who can appreciate a good time. Even with whipped cream and chocolate cake.

An evening with 11 and 12 year old handsome and intelligent boys includes Risk. They play it at each boys' birthday and when they just hang out. Daniel's kind of crowd.

Risk was proving to challenge the clock to they moved to Apples to Apples. There were complaints about the fact that it's the Junior version, but they played anyway. They are all very weird, too.

He opened more gifts and was very grateful for wonderful friends. Notice the apron on Ruthie. She served at her cousin's wedding reception and Aunt Deanna made aprons for the girls. She wore hers so she could help me serve the boys.

So the boy had a good birthday. He did say on his actual birthday that it was the worst birthday ever. But now that Grandma is doing better and his hand is healing and it's all over, he thought it was pretty great. Another look at the cool blanket from Grandma and Grandpa.
I am waiting on pictures of Isaac on Sunday after his ordination. My mom had her camera and I didn't. But Isaac received the Aaronic priesthood and was ordained a Deacon on Sunday. And true to form for birthday boy, the Bishop forgot to have him come up on the stand to sustain him. So someone ran up to the Bishop when he sat down to remind him. Isaac was sustained after the Sacrament was passed. Abbie, Poppy and Meme came to share it. Then they came over for lunch after. We missed Grandma and Grandpa, but still had fun visiting with Abbie and Poppy.

Sunday night we went to Uncle Alex and Aunt Mindy's house for our get together. We had more cake. The third and final for March and had fun with cousins. Our Aunt Mindy announced she is expecting and we are so excited for that.

We've told Isaac that with all the things, good and bad, that happened over his birthday weekend, this would be one of the most memorable. We hope he remembers the good...family, friends, Grandma and Grandpa are fine, Abbie and Poppy and Meme shared his ordination with him, his hand is still attached, and he had lots of chocolate cake. Good stuff.