Nineteen

Dylan with his birthday presents at his party, two days after his actual birthday.

July 3, 2016

We didn't get to celebrate Dylan's nineteenth birthday on his actual birthday, which was on Friday the first day of July, because he had to work that night until 7:00. So we decided to have his party at our weekly Sunday family dinner instead. Unfortunately, even that presented problems since Mark worked from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. while Jake worked from 2:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Work schedules can be so disruptive!

Dylan's pile of gifts.

We ended up doing his party in two sessions. Around 1:00 we all got together, except Mark, to watch Dylan open his presents so that Jake could be there for that. Then, in the evening, we barbecued and had cake and ice cream so Mark could be there, but then Jake missed out (although we did save him some of my homemade chocolate-chip cheesecake and homemade strawberry ice cream--both sugar-free, of course).

First, Dylan opens the gift from his dad, a Firetek Bow that lights up,

with screaming-whistle, light-up arrows. I gave Dylan the receipt so

he can exchange the bow for one that's any non-pink color!

Lastly, Dylan opens the remote-control Battle Boxing Robots from his mom.

Dylan got a lot of fun things this year. His dad gave him the Firetek Bow. I gave him the Battle Boxing Robots, a 3-D puzzle of the Eiffel Tower, and a new Rubik's Cube to replace his broken one (he's able to solve it in a minute or less). Jake reserved him a new video game Dylan wanted that hasn't come out yet. Sarah and Chris gave him a gift card. And Jacob and Danielle said he will get his present from them when we see them in Utah, just eleven days from today.

I love cards. Sometimes you find just the perfect card, like this one.

It's such a perfect illustration of Sarah's offbeat relationship with her brothers.

They give each other a hard time, yet it's done with real affection and good humor.

They truly enjoy each others' company, as much friends as siblings.

Sarah's note inside. I rest my case.

Here's the perfect card I got for Dylan. You simply cannot

raise two boys without farts being part of the fabric of life.

Dylan and Jake try out Dylan's new Battle Bots.

Dylan with the cheesecake, as he prepares to eat a second slice.

We finished up the party with the dinner Dylan had requested: grilled burgers, with chips and dip and a bowl of coleslaw. Then Dylan napped for an hour. Unfortunately, he has to work overnights, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for the next five nights, something he's never done before. Our Walmart is undergoing a lengthy remodel, and they needed Dylan this week because he's "the only one who knows how to do modules." (Whatever that means.) 

He told us tonight that the store manager is grooming him to become a department manager very soon, and he's preparing to take the required management tests over the next few days. Dylan just turned nineteen, so I'm impressed!

We finished up the night with my homemade chocolate-frosted, chocolate-chip, sugar-free cheesecake, which was also requested by Dylan, and big cups of homemade strawberry ice cream. Then it was time for Sarah to take both Dylan and Chris to work. Chris is also working the overnight shifts at Walmart, as part of the regular remodeling crew, so this week they'll have the same hours.

Despite the odd party hours, it was fun to celebrate with my youngest son that wonderful day when he surprised us by becoming part of our family, after I'd given up hope of having more children. I'm so grateful he chose us!

Happy birthday, Dylan!

Another round of the "Happy Birthday" song, the third in two weeks' time!