Roen's 9th Birthday...

On the day Roen turned 9, we planned a little surprise party for him. We have thought for months that he would have no party because of the Corona Virus. However, the closer it got to May 12th, the more things seemed to be settling down. So, I came up with a list, decided to invite and let parents make the decision if they were comfortable with their child coming. All but one (he was out of town) were able to come, which made a total of 12 boys! It was a full house!

Guests weren't due to arrive until later that afternoon, so we spent our morning cooking a big breakfast, opening a few presents and waking up to a little birthday yard art!






The boys watched a little Old Yeller while they waited for breakfast get ready






Roen has been wanting this watch for a very long time and when I asked Remi what he wanted to get him, this is the first thing he said- Roen was very happy!



Micah took Roen on a special morning of golfing while Remi, Anne and I quickly got the party set up and waited for his guests to arrive. The boys were so excited they could barely contain the themselves! When Micah and Roen finally pulled into the drive, the boys all hid behind the bar and on cue, gave Roen the biggest surprise ever! He was completely speechless, with a giant smile on his face that told us all he was one happy birthday boy! I think he stood there staring in awe, smiling, giggling for 5 minutes. Finally, when they couldn't take it anymore, all his buddies rushed over to him, with birthday wishes and smiles of their own! I will never forget that smile for as long as I live- it was priceless!!!

I kept the party pretty simple, but did go with a turtle theme for my turtle-loving boy. Our days of really big parties have passed, but I can't pass up a chance to throw in a bit of party decor! I filled his party table with some of his favorite snacks, because if there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the secret to keeping boys happy, is with food!
































This was the crew! Once, Micah texted that they were rounding the corner, I had the boys get down to hide and you could feel the excitement in the air!






This smile didn't leave his face all day!





Once the party started, they were exploring, playing football, hopping on electronics, fishing, putting, riding bikes and being wild, wooly boys!






















I cooked a big ole spaghetti dinner for the boys and I think everyone had full, happy bellies. Roen loves spaghetti and so it has become a tradition that I cook it every year on his birthday!



The boys loved watching Roen open all his goodies! He got a scooter from Micah and I, candy, a Nerf gun, slime, a hydro flask, a new cap, some shirts, golf balls and lots of other exciting gifts!











After dinner and presents, we sang to the Birthday Boy and had cake. We let the boys stay up and play hide-n-seek in the dark before starting the wind-down process. Let me tell you, it is quite a feat to get 12 boys settled and asleep!







The next morning, the boys were up early, ate donuts and played until we started dropping off around 10. Remi and Roen actually had golf lessons that afternoon, so by the time they finished dropping boys off and golf, Roen was one worn out Birthday Boy...



Just like I will never forget the day Roen was born, I will also never forget the day he turned 9. This day was filled with giant smiles, one huge surprise, friends, laughs, playing and all of Roen's favorite things! Celebrating this boy is one of my favorite things to do!