Happy Birthday Jared Paul!

Our witty, bright and beloved Jared turns the big 12 today! Happy birthday young man! (I was about to say "big boy" but somehow that doesn't seem appropriate anymore. :-) Only one more year and I'm the mom of a teenager. Can't believe it!

Jared & Vincent ~ summer BBQ on my sister's deck.

Jared took a big step this year and flew by himself to Minnesota last month to stay with my sister and nephews for 12 days! Wow! He and his cousin, Vincent, each saved for 7 months to pay for 1/2 of the cost of an airline ticket. (We parents chipped in the unaccompanied minor fee.) We're happy to say that everything went very well and Jared did great! Here are some pictures from his recent grand adventure! (Thanks to my sister, Esther, for all of the shots.)

The backyard of one of my sister's friends who invited them over for kayaking and canoeing. Jared cut the bottom of his foot on a rock, but the owner was a PA (physician's assitant) and took great care of him. Fortunately, he did not need stitches.

Jared, Vincent, and a friend in the paddleboat.

In the kayak.

Vincent in a kayak.

The cuz buds - Jared, Vincent, and Tad. Love these boyz!

Hangin' out.

We signed the boys up for a two day Safe Sitter class at my sister's church. They are both now well-trained in safe babysitting techniques, CPR, the Heimlich, and know how to work a defribillator (!). Their first paying jobs are to baby-sit their siblings! Here's a (fuzzy) shot of Jared getting his certificate.

The Safe Sitter boyz!

My sister took the boys to 2 days of Valleyfair - a fun amusement park. (My sis' family has season passes.)

Riding a kiddie ride with Tad.

Jared surprised all of us and broke through his roller-coaster fear. He told me he made this kissy-face on purpose. Behind Vincent is Uncle Jim. Thanks, Uncle Jim, for buying this shot!!

Having dinner in their swimwear.

Boys will be boys!

My sister also took them on a homeschooling field trip to a Lego Adventure Exhibit at the Minnesota Children's Museum. Here are the boys acting crazy.

 

Thanks, Aunt Esther, for all of the fun - including the play, bowling, the beach and all of the boy time together. What a great summer trip for Jared!