Deacon's 9th Birthday

 Deacon turned 9 this year! Sometimes I feel like he's older because he's so mature, but I'll take him young as long as possible. Deacon is the boy who will be the first to give me a hug when I'm sad, give me a back massage when I'm sore, and ask to help if I seem overwhelmed. He's always looking out for others and will give anyone the coat off his back (quite literally when Leo forgot his jacket at school one day!). He is hilarious and always up for any challenge. He loves to play basketball and doesn't mind getting up for games or to go golfing with Dad. He's very determined and will keep trying when he fails. He may not love practicing the piano, but is persistent anyways. Deacon is so much fun, but also chill, and loves to joke around. At bedtime he will give us about 10 hugs because he "forgot he had already given us one." He is getting tall and eating more and more every day. We sure do love him! 

I also decorated Deacon's room bright and early in the morning before he woke up, and he was so happy! He especially loved how I attached the balloons to a big box of Ferrero Rochets. His breakfast choice was waffles with ice cream and berries! His birthday landed on a Sunday so we went to church and then over to Tamara's house where I brought the cupcakes. He was challenged to stuff a whole one in his mouth, which he willingly did. 

A few days later we threw him a birthday party at this new place in South Center mall called "Powerplay." We tried out the Immersive Gamebox, which is kind of like a video game projected on the wall, and you use headsets. They could select different games like squid games and such. I don't think it was quite as fun as they were expecting, but they still had a good time there. The better part was the bowling afterwards. They brought over a big Charizard and told them the first person to get a strike wins it. That got them going! Boston Ausmus ended up winning it. We also got pizza, fries and cake as we were bowling and the pizza was the biggest one I've ever seen! It was very good, and the kids said the fries were they best they ever had. I had brought the cake (basketball themed), so we sang to Deacon and ate that as well. Afterwards, the kids were each given tokens to use in the Arcade. That was a hit for the boys as well! It was a great party and I loved how clean and new the place was.