13th Birthday

I haven't had a birthday party for a few years, so this year, I invited a small group of friends to Dave and Busters.  We had a good time playing games and we all walked away with some junkie toys.

Memorial Day with friends and my birthday

It was Memorial Day, so we had a little party.  Well, it wasn't so little.  There were a lot of kids over at our house, but we had a lot of fun.  Tristan and I rode our bikes around the block...all by ourselves!  Some other kids did it too, but on scooters or the kettcar or whatever.  We just had a blast. We also played soccer and lacrosse and basketball and football in the front yard.  And then there were water guns...and the hose.  Let's see, Ella, Cady, Connor, Lucas, Joie, Larkin, Ryken, Callan, Tristan, Logan, Addison, Bella and Julian...and those are just the kids!

Then, we celebrated my birthday ( a few days early) with a cake.  Dad put on quite a few candles...so I had some trouble blowing them all out!

Racing to my 9th Birthday!

I had my birthday party at K1 Speed with 11 of my friends.  Some from dance and some from school.  We each had 3 races, 1 practice, 1 Qualifying and 1 Race.  It was super fun, though some friends got tired....it's hard work driving!  Anyhow, we had a great time.  Thanks to all who came!

With some dance friends

Helping Tristan get registered.

We're the shortest racers around.

Waiting to get instructions.

Getting the 411.

Ready to race!

And I'm off!

I came in first for the practice race.

Waiting for the next race

I think that's Emily, Me, Nikki and Ashwin

In the final race, I came in second...to  Christina.  Man, she's fast!

With pal Tristan.  He got third.  That's pretty cool.

Pre-birthday party practice

My birthday party is coming up in a few weeks and I want to make sure I can do this....so here I am getting in some practice laps.  I sure don't want to come in last at my own party!!

Memorial Day BBQ and mini guitar recital

With our usual gang, we held a Memorial Day Barbecue...plus a little bday celebration....It was fun.  The most exciting part was playing guitar with Uncle Ken.  Do you remember we went camping last year and Uncle Ken brought his guitar?  Well, after that trip, I started taking guitar lessons.  So when Uncle K came with his guitar, I was ready to play with him!  We held 2 practice sessions in the privacy of my room before we went out to have a mini recital.  We put on a good show, even though there were a couple distractions. We also played a lot of football out front.  My brother and I love throwing the football, but we usually end up fighting over who gets the ball....

I had an angry birds cake.  Pretty cool.

Our family picture....

Cameron and Uncle Ken Perform

Uncle Ken came over for our Memorial Day/my birthday BBQ.  He brought his guitar and we did a little performance for everyone.  We had 2 practice sessions in my room (I had to "teach" him the song) before the show.  I asked him what book he was on....but can you believe he's not using one?  Wow.  What do you think, do we make a good duo?

Big Basin Hike Birthday Party!

Whoever thought of such a thing?  Well, I did.  I suggested to Mom and Dad that I wanted a hiking party with my friends.  And so, they made it happen.  I invited Tulia, Emily and Isabel from my dance team.  And Dmitri and Nathan from my class.  Nathan and his Mom joined us at Big Basin.  Usually, my birthday weekend is super warm....but it was pretty cold today.  On the drive into the woods, it was actually super foggy and kinda rainy.  Mom was nervous that we were going to be freezing, but once we got moving, it was all good.  The kids ran most of the so-called hike...so we did it pretty darn fast.  I don't know why everyone was running, but we had fun doing it!

First, they made walking sticks for each guest.

Walking with our sticks to the trailhead.

Another Mom joined in on the fun.

Bridge crossing

 

Where'd everyone go?  Oh yeah.  They're running!

One of few rest stops

The girls, checking out this giant chimney tree.

tunnel

Isabel, Emily, Tulia, Nathan, Dmitri, B and Me! We made it to

Sempervirens Falls in record time!

Now it's time for lunch

And cake.  Notice how the girls are warming their hands!

Yes, it's Memorial Weekend and it's freezing in the forest.

Yes, we had cake on the hike. 

Boys being boys.

All done.