The long awaited day is here! Voss has been counting down all month. Today my baby boy turned 8. He got us up early to open the gifts collected on the dining room table from amazing family. Ellie and I read in mass (although I rehearsed countless times, I butchered the word "Naphtali"), Marly and Abby altar served. Voss was psyked to stand up for his Birthday. Father Pradeep high fived him and asked his age at the procession and he was absolutely giddy. I had a prize basket for my students who could recite the 10 Commandments (and explain their meaning) in my class today. This afternoon the festivities began. We had a caravan of 3 cars headed to Mayport. We had lunch and cake under a pavillion overlooking the jetties. Next, we worked our way onto a ship. First, we got a "no", which almost killed the Birthday mojo. We ran around and had some chaos but thankfully the CO of the USS Indianapolis was super cool and let us tour his ship. It felt like a field trip with question and answer time and snake-like tour of the ship. We spent lots of time in the control tour and took turns practicing driving. I think all the kids loved it (except one who freaked out thinking we were going for a cruise and spent the tour in the van). Voss spent the afternoon playing with all his super cool new toys. We went to dinner at Tijuana Flats and did a family rosary walk on a windy night. Lots of sugar'd up kids to settle down tonight. Talking backwards, we watched the Jags playoff game vs the Chiefs at Lillians. Sitting in my same seat, Phil and friends doing the same touchdown shots was not enough repetition luck for a win...but it was so fun while it lasted. It ended with a cookie skillet for the Birthday boy. We went on a family run on Saturday morning (I really want to get back into those). Ellie and I went out in the rain to audition for Sleeping Beauty with the Jax City Ballet. She got a part but we don't know what yet. Kerri and I won our tennis match on Tuesday vs Pace Island although it took 3 sets! I got a mammogram- whoop whoop. Ellie and I toured my alma mater and she liked it. It's currently her top runner, although we have one more high school to tour. Trying so hard not to be biased. Stephanie and I met up with my friend, Kim and got a night out to hear Allyson Felix at the Florida Forum. She was very inspirational. I loved what she said, "Use your voice, even when it shakes". We had a swim team coffee sesh to talk about the river rats transitioning to a new league. At MOPS we had a self defense training session. It was an important reminder about what to do if...Friday I went to adoration with my parents then brought Voss a Birthday happy meal lunch and donuts for his class. A kick off to the Birthday weekend even with a sleepover with Zachary. We took the girls to a TCC dinner. We were all home by 9. Catching up on sleep and drinking lots of hot tea. I'm enjoying listening to The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. The middle two are settling into their restricted lives NOT on the honor roll. No play dates, sleepovers or time on my phone. It stings. Here are the photos of the week.