slade is 12

Slade turned 12 on a beautiful spring day this year. His "Yes Day" consisted of playing screens nearly non-stop all day. He did pause the video games briefly so he could open presents and then take his new roller-blades out for a spin.

He requested a suit for his birthday as well. No more polo shirts for this twelve year old.

We went to Keri's for dinner that night. Colin and Amy were also in town. We had hamburgers, Slade's favorite. Colin was nice enough to jump with the kids on the trampoline. Also we got to hear their happy news of a little one on the way.

One of these bellies in not like the other but two are like each other. Yeah!

I made this delicious chocolate cake for dessert with a berry sauce, reminiscent of PF Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate. It got a little melted and bumped in the course of transportation but was still so yummy.

Slade at 12:
--loves to listen to fantasy books, rarely will read them himself but is starting to do that a little more
--is taking fencing lessons and finally seems to have found a sport that suits him
--still likes to snuggle and hold our hands
--can be really witty and funny at times
--is still very stubborn and easily frustrated but is learning to handle difficult situations so much better
--has one good friend who lives across the street and doesn't seem to care about having more friends
--loves to roller-blade around the neighborhood
--would play on the computer/Xbox all day long if allowed
--is growing so tall