So fine to be 9 in '09

We celebrated Strider's 9th birthday on Saturday. Since this was an "off" year for our every-other-year party plan, he chose to do some other activities, such as go out for breakfast (at lunch time), swim in his new blow-up pool in the backyard, and attend a Charlotte Knights baseball game with some friends that night. One of Pete's students has been interning for the Knights, so he hooked Strider up with some cool t-shirts and hats at the game, and that was definitely a highlight. Strider says he had a great birthday!

For my part, I can't believe my first baby is about half-way through with his childhood... That is a very weird thought.

Here are some scenes of his big day:

(Even Rayna and Colsen got gifts too... Water bottles for everyone!)



And here is the result of using a too-cheap plastic bag as a frosting bag when trying to decorate the top of a giant cookie... POP!
Oh well, it still tasted good.