Alivia at 14 1/2

When Alivia was a baby, I started this tradition of celebrating 1/2 birthdays. Here we are, 14 years later, still celebrating the half birthday. We give the kids a little present and they go on a Daddy date to lunch or dinner. It is good for them to have something to look forward to mid year I guess. For now, we will keep up the tradition. I believe I will keep it up until they graduate, then they will graduate from the Half Birthday. :)

Alivia selected lunch with Chris at Panera, where she gets broccoli and cheddar soup and a baguette. Yum.
Alivia is very active. She is now done with cross country and considering running track. Their team is highly competitive, so she does not want to sit the season watching others run. So we will see what she decides. On winter break, we hope she will take her learners permit test so she can soon be driving to school!! She recently lettered in cross country and was awarded first in her age group for the Lincoln Halfsy with a half marathon time of 140:10.

This is what she is thinking as she turns 14.5.

Birthday Questions by Alivia at 14.5 years.
1. Favorite  color:  Blue
2. Favorite Toy:  iphone, ipad
3. Favorite Fruit:  strawberries
4. Favorite TV show:   nailed it
5. Favorite thing to eat for lunch: Pepperoni and crackers
6. Favorite Outfit:   Itblack pants and purple shirt, or gray pants and blue shirt --- Athletic clothes
7. Favorite Game:   Woody (on her ipad)
8. Favorite Snack:  dried fruit
9. Favorite Animal:   Dog
10. Favorite song:  High Hopes or superheroes
11. Favorite Book:   
12. Best Friend:  Katy
13. Favorite Cereal:  "Don't like cereal"
14. Favorite thing to do outside:  run/soccer
15. Favorite drink:  lemonade or rootbeer
16. Favorite Holiday:    Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  a bear from when I was younger and one from Great Grandma Austin, then a Dog from Great Grandma Pat
18. Favorite thing to eat for breakfast?   Granola bar or belvita
19. What do you want to eat for your half birthday dinner?  Panera!
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a physical therapist

Happy 11th Birthday, Asher!

Last Thursday, Asher turned 11 years old! It's hard to believe we had our last baby that long ago. Kinda sad. The kids are all growing up. I guess that is what they are supposed to do, but still.

We had the Grandparents come for dinner for Lansky's Pizza, salad, cupcakes and DQ icecream. Asher opened his presents of Under Armour clothes, legos that will be turned into cars, and much needed soccer gear. From us, Asher will get a bike in the spring. For now, he got clothes and new shoes. Boys do not take very good care of shoes, at least this boy doesn't.

Asher is a very kind boy. He is always thinking of others, at least when he is around us. He is usually the first to give us a hug good morning and good night saying, "I love you." He is just a very sweet boy. He used to be very clean and organized, but that has changed. He does not like to clean his room and his room generally reflects that. It is not as bad as Addison's room, however.:) When Asher gets home from school, he does his homework while maybe eating a snack, then runs off to play soccer. If it is nice, you will find him outside kicking. If the weather is snowy and cold like it is now, he will run to the basement to play where he has 2 nets and an indoor ball set up. His friends Michael, Peyton or even Miles (who does not play soccer) come over and play along. They are loud, but at least they are being VERY active! Someday we will have a basement with a movie theater and a wet bar, but for now...it is a soccer playing field. :) We are okay with that.

On Friday night, Asher invited 5 boys, Miles, Michael, Peyton and his cousins Henry and Ben over for a sleepover party. We played a present game which they all loved. Then they watched the movie Alpha, before playing more soccer. Chris set up the tent in the basement for the boys with sleeping bags. I do not believe they slept much. Asher and his friend appeared to have fun. Asher was so nice to thank us for letting him have sleepover.

Now, for Asher's birthday questions at 11 years old.

Birthday Questions
1. Favorite  color:  Blue
2. Favorite Toy:   Legos
3. Favorite Fruit:  orange
4. Favorite TV show:   HE DID NOT HAVE ONE! HE RARELY WATCHES TV!
5. Favorite thing to eat for lunch:  Which wich (which is what I brought him for his birthday lunch at school.).
6. Favorite Outfit:   Italy soccer shirt
7. Favorite Game:   clue
8. Favorite Snack:  Pirate Booty (or Nut thins which he asked for and received for his birthday!).
9. Favorite Animal:   Dog
10. Favorite song:  Castle on the Hill, Ed Sheeran
11. Favorite Book:  Go for the Goal
12. Best Friend:  Michael
13. Favorite Cereal:  Cocoa Krispies
14. Favorite thing to do outside:  soccer
15. Favorite drink:   Lemonade (or Sparkling Ice which he asked for and received for his birthday)
16. Favorite Holiday:    Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Pillow and blanket
18. Favorite thing to eat for breakfast?   Daddy's home cooked eggs and bacon
19. What do you want to eat for your birthday dinner?  Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  a contractor

Happy Birthday, Asher Wade!