July Birthdays

 Joseph and Arwen are our July birthdays. Joseph is now 12 and Arwen 9!!! Joseph's birthday is exactly one week before Arwen's and so this year we happened to have two celebrations on Tuesdays. 

Joseph got a new computer game for his gift and definitely wanted to play all day, but he has still not lived down his birthday from two years ago where he asked for a complicated cake for dessert and pies for dinner and would not stop playing games to eat. Kate and I slaved all day in the kitchen and we were hungry and begging Joseph to get on  with his birthday dinner and kept saying he was not ready. So this year, he asked for homemade chicken pot pie and banana splits-- much easier. And he was not allowed to dictate everything we do, and he did complain that he will never live down that 10th birthday. 

At 12, Joseph is very conscientious and cares a lot about whether he is doing the right thing or not. He is always confessing to not paying attention to what he reads or whether or not he complained when he's asked to do something. We tell him not to worry so much, but at the same time, we're glad that he cares enough to be trying hard to live honestly and righteously. 

Arwen got 4 small dart guns and 100 spare foam darts to play cops and robbers with her siblings and said that was her favorite birthday gift. The kids have had fun with that. For dinner, Arwen chose stroganoff and ice cream sundays for dessert-- everything easy for her very pregnant mom. 

At 9 Arwen is is fun and capable and very smart. She is an excellent reader and is excelling in math this year. Arwen is able to solve some of the more difficult word problems that her siblings could not. She may be our next math genius. We'll see. Arwen loves to play American girl dolls with her sisters. She likes to have tea parties with Sam and Susan. She loves to color and draw and of course play minecraft. Arwen thinks that Gideon is adorable and hugs and fawns over him everyday. I expect she will be in love with the new baby too. Arwen is smart and pleasant and fun to be around and very reliable. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH AND ARWEN!!