Look who is in the backseat!
I'm convinced that it is nearly impossible to get a decent action shot. Most of the pictures were blurry--- so here are the few pictures that turned out well.
Our party dominated the rink! Everywhere I turned there was a Reed flying past me!
John and I took turns keeping an eye on Dennis while the other skated with the kids. I happened to be standing next to Dennis while he was sitting on this bench, when all of a sudden he leaned back, turned to brace his fall and landed face first in the pile of shoes on the floor. I of course reached out to keep him from falling-- so this is how I ended up on the floor. Ouch-- that hurt!
This time rollerskating has got to be one of my all time favorite parenting moments for two reasons. I am bummed that neither of the things that I am about to share got caught on film. When Jonny first got out in the rink, he was having a hard time skating. He was awkward, holding onto the wall, and having a difficult time gaining balance. I was determined to have him skating by the end of the session. I worked with him for quite a while and finally when my muscles hurt from holding him up and teaching him to move his legs, I passed the job over to John who then continued to work with Jonny. Half way through the session, Jonny got it and took off skating! It was so awesome to see that I cried. He was so proud of himself!
"Mama, do you think I am the bestest five year old skater on the planet?"
"Well Jonny, maybe not on the whole planet but definitely in the whole skating rink!"
"Wow! I bet Daddy thinks that too!"
Jonny was just too precious for words and I am not sure I could love him more then at that moment. Come time for races, all by himself, he decided that he was going to enter. He was so brave, and proud of himself that I think he is going to do very well in kindergarten next year!
My other favorite parenting moment came when I was able to borrow someone's stroller when they were breaking for lunch so that I could take Dennis out on the rink. The idea that he didn't have to miss out and could enjoy the breeze across his face as he flew by was so exhilarating! He squealed with delight and for the first time I felt that my son Dennis is going to do everything that all the other kids do! It was such a high for me to experience this, that again I cried tears of joy!
After skating, we went home for pizza, cake, and presents.
Julia got some really nice presents from everybody including some gift cards, a cordless microphone, yarn, and a nice necklace.
John and I got her a Karaoke machine!
Everyone had fun singing---- including Adam, but you are not supposed to know that!
P.S. After a lot of prayer and talk, Caleb did end up going to his first boy-girl party. I met and talked to the parents and scoped the party scene out and John showed up a bit early to pick up Caleb so that he could meet the party guests.
29 inspiring thoughts:
What a fun time. I'm glad Dennis got to take part as well and I'm sure Johnny looked great.
I hope that you get lots of video of Julia singing with her new Karaoke machine. We had one and it was a lot of fun!
I hope that Caleb had a great time at his party. I know exactly how you feel. I have two middle school boys and my oldest is always wanting to go to parties and it scares me knowing that they are growing up and I hope that all of my parenting has rubbed off on them so that they will continue to make good decisions.
Great job with the communicating and having John show up a few minutes early.
I don't know where a skating rink is near me!
How fun!
My friend has a karaoke machine, but I bet yours will get more use!
In this day and age (or even back in the 80's), it amazes me how parents can send kids off to parties or get togethers at other kids' homes without speaking to the host parent. I'd want to make sure that the parent (or parents) were going to be there. I also liked to extend the courtesy to have my daughter bring something. Since my daughter did not go to the school in our town, I especially wanted to know. Either her father or I drove to and from.
Looks like everyone had a good time at Julia's skating birthday celebration. It's good that the two little ones had fun too.
In this day and age (or even back in the 80's), it amazes me how parents can send kids off to parties or get togethers at other kids' homes without speaking to the host parent. I'd want to make sure that the parent (or parents) were going to be there. I also liked to extend the courtesy to have my daughter bring something. Since my daughter did not go to the school in our town, I especially wanted to know. Either her father or I drove to and from.
Looks like everyone had a good time at Julia's skating birthday celebration. It's good that the two little ones had fun too.
It looks like Julia and the rest of the family had a great time skating. Plus the Karaoke machine is an awesome present. I love it that each child buys for the other for there birthday, even if it is something small.
looks like fun. Hey, email me, I have misplaced your email (I will look on your blog) allknames at gmail dot com Thanks Kelli
Julia had a great party. Mom and Dad so proud of all the kids Great! So much fun for the whole family with the Karaoke machine. Caleb growning up but knows what is expected of him. Looking for video of singing and the new play areas outside.
Aww... Jonny is so adorable!!
Sounds like you all had a great time skating, that's cool.
Have a great day.
I used to - literally - skate the wheels off of skates, both at rinks and out of doors. It is fun, good exercise, and did I mention fun? How nice to see the whole family enjoying the activity. Go Jonny! And Happiest of Birthdays to Julia! ((((((big hugs)))) and lots of love from all of us!
I am glad to hear so many in agreement of supervised parties. Too many people around here want the kids to come alone to parties and playdates - 'So, shall I have the nanny pick them up?'... uh. no. Not my 8yo, not my 5yo. I don't know you, your family, your staff.. no. You want your kid to play with mine? Let's meet somewhere, or invite me with.
I would have had tears in my eyes too (maybe if/when my bum had hit the ground as well). It sounds like a great time all round.
Both my girls only went to girl parties, but even then I found out too late that at one, the parents had gone out for the night and the girls (at 11 y.o.) watched M+ horror movies. At another party everything was okay, but the stepdad later turned out to be a pedophile who had been trying to abduct little girls in our city.
I cried when I found out these things. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for being cautious and protective of your kids.
Haha, sounds so fun! We don't have roller skating rink in our town...just an ice rink...anyway, that's cool that Jonny did so good! :D he's probably better then me!
That cake looks really good, yummm.
Happy Birthday to Julia!
What a fun blog post! Loved the stories, but my favorite thing was the picture where Dad was sitting WAAAAY in the back of the van!! Had a hearty laugh over that one! (Actually, that's a pretty darned good picture of all of the kids, too!)
Missy
What a fun night. I know how big your family is, but it really sank in seeing you fill that entire huge van. I love it.
Looks like a lot of fun!!
It looks like a great b-day party! I have not been skating in years. I bet the kids had a blast. Some things are just timeless aren't they.
Looks like everyone had fun! Cora's page is themcclenahans.blogspot.com
I think the idea of being pushed around a skating rink in a stroller is SO cool! I'd love it myself! I'd squeel, too! Just imagine. What fun!
I remember skating parties from my childhood. so much fun! You have a beautiful family!
Skating was always so much fun when I was younger. The kids like it too, but we do more ice skating around here, just more readily available. I'm glad all the kids get to enjoy in their siblings birthday's, with 11 it sure can be a lot of fun things in a year, lol. I always get so proud of things my kids do that I cry too. My dh always asks what's wrong, I tell him there's nothing wrong, everything is RIGHT, that's why I'm crying. To be so blessed by our children is really a gift.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA!
I'll look forward to hearing the entertainment from the Reed Singers ;o)
Happy Birthday Julia! Looks like a fun party!!
You have to be one of the funnest (is that even a word ) famiies ever. I lover your enthusiam ..wow rollerskating..i dont' even think we have roller rinks around here.
Happy Birthday Julia
What an incredible birthday party! Sounds like a great time was had by all and they will remember it forever. Skating is one of our family fun day favorites!
What a fun and sweet time!
A wonderful time had by all. It brought back memories of my children's young years and the visits to the skating rinks. They used to sleep like logs afterwards.
Great fun post with a lesson in good parenting thrown in. Good for you.
Love Granny
What a great idea to push a stroller round the rink. People do it all the time on the bike paths so it kinda makes sense. You have almost made me regret selling my blades late last year.
Happy Birthday Julia!
happy birthday Julia. Looks like everyone had a blast.
There's an
Award for you on my blog!
AWE, so many special moments when you have so many kids. I am so happy for you. I could see the WOW! shining on Dennis' face when you strolled him around on the skating rink! What fun!!!
that looks like a blast. i loved skating when I was little. i can't wait to take my daughter.
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