8 while 8

Matthew turned 8 in October. He'd like to do something 8 times in the year he's 8 years old. He asked me for ideas. Knowing Matthew, his one and only love language (...and interest...and reason for existing) is quality time with the people he loves. I suggested 8 outings with friends and family. 

He said, "Yes! Wait, what's an outing?"

(See? He only cares that it's with people he loves.)

I explained that outings were activities or field trips or special places to visit. 

"Yes! Yes! Let's do that!"

He had some help from me and James, but the reindeer thing was totally his unprompted idea.

Matthew's 8 while 8 goals (in order of excitement):

1. Take a train somewhere, buy lunch on the train, and do something fun at the destination.

2. Visit a planetarium and see a star show.

3. Play at the YMCA indoor playground with just people we know (aka NOT during Child Watch hours)

4. Kiss a reindeer.

5. Create a geocache.

6. Visit a zoo.

7. Ride on a go kart.

8. Go kayaking.

These birthday goal things are the perfect excuse to do something you've kinda wanted to do for a long time but never really made a priority. When would I ever plan a train ride to somewhere and allow myself to buy lunch on the train?! Never. Not because I don't want it, but because it's so inefficient and more costly and I've never done it before and I didn't know if Bobby or the kids would appreciate the experience and it's just a big hassle to plan things like this. If it's just practical me, I make the excuses and end up skipping the whole hassle.

But, if it's something Matthew really wants to do, and James is totally excited about it, and we have the means and time and energy for it, and I've kinda secretly wanted to do it my whole life, and the family members who don't want to do it are old enough to stay home, then why not?! Let's do it! Make memories. Bring on the quality time.

Some pictures from our recent shenanigans:

The ladybug tree. As we walked home from school earlier this fall, James noticed this tree trunk that was absolutely covered in Mexican Bean Leaf Beetles. They were mostly on the sunny side, but still swarming a week later on a cold and cloudy day. 

Matthew was baptized! He even managed to get it done on his 8th birthday, making it a complete set for the kids in our family. Every single one was baptized on his birthday.  

We love our missionaries!

Erin left us money to do something fun while she was away all month in Texas *sob* James and Matthew chose a trip to the trampoline park. We went on a day the Urbana kids didn't have school, but the rest of the schools were still in session. It was nice and roomy! Matthew made a tower cave in the foam pit. I also have a movie of Matthew sitting on the edge of a giant balloon thingy (you can see part of it in the corner of the above photo) and getting rocketed off when James jumped onto the other side of it. Hilarious. When they switched places, Matthew ran and jumped onto the balloon to try to rocket James off, but ended up bouncing backwards himself. James barely jiggled. Their masses just don't even come close.

This is after an hour at the trampoline park. They get so sweaty! Alex and Robert opted to stay home.

Halloween costumes #1. This is what James and Matthew wore to the ward trunk-or-treat. On Halloween itself, James went as a very classy vampire and Matthew got the sumo wrestler suit.

Sumo Matthew!

Election Day 2022. Our friends the Alveys put on an election for the kids. They got to sample a bunch of different snacks, treats, and beverages and cast votes for their favorites. 

James spotted a classic Rolls Royce!

Robert and Matthew discussing the finer points of peeling the foil from gum wrappers. Aluminum foil is a hot commodity in our house lately.