Meet our new "tween"!

We've been doing a little celebrating around here.

She invited some friends

and introduced them to that park we love so much.



And yes, her brother came along.
He chose a special shirt to honor the birthday girl.
It says "Joy to the world..."(along with a few more of those lyrics)
Her middle name is Joy.
That's how he rolls.

We had never taken a paddle boat ride there before

so we decided this was a perfect time.
Another mom came along so all the boats had a grown-up.

One of the boats may or may not have wandered into a fountain
and gotten its occupants soaking wet.
Thankfully that other mom was prepared with dry clothes for all.

A guy with his guitar came right down to the water to serenade us.
(Bethany thought he was a little strange.
I thought he was very sweet.)

Then we played nine holes of mini-golf.
While the brothers played 18.

Home for cake...

...and a movie.

Ahh, the first slumber party.

Some of them were asking if there would be chocolate chips
in their pancakes for breakfast.
I told them whoever went to sleep
could have whatever kind of pancakes they wanted
and whoever didn't would get worms in their pancakes.

You know what?
They all went to sleep.

They are big kids,
and they keep getting better!