Honoring Daniel

Daniel turned 12 last month.  He had been looking forward to this particular birthday for a while.  All of his school friends had already turned 12 and he was feeling left out when they'd go to scouts or a Deacon's activity without him.

This past school year, Daniel became extra interested in Legos.  It seems to be a bit of a fad with some of his friends.  I'm OK with this kind of fad.  There are so many negative this that I hardly bat an eye at this one!

So it was only fitting that I make him a Lego cake.  Unfortunately, a real Lego man cake pan is small and PRICEY.  Fortunately, I had a Wilton astronaut/space man pan.  It was close enough!  I trimmed a bit and used the frosting to my advantage, but it passed the 12-year-old boy test.

He puffed up his cheeks and blew out the candles.  He almost did it all in one breath, too!  Almost.  Twelve candles is a lot! 

Eventually, we got through half of a Lego Man before we were filled.  I think it's great that he can keep smiling after all he's been through!  hee hee

 We had a visitor this day...Grandpa Peterson.  (This was also the day we sheared the sheep.)  We got to take Grandpa to dinner with us...a reverse of what usually happens when Grandpa visits.  We were glad to treat him for a change!  Daniel was pretty excited that his visit fell on his birthday.

The following Sunday was a pretty big day for Daniel.  He had picked out his first official suit and was looking forward to wearing it to church.  He was ordained a Deacon by his dad in a small group of family after church meetings.  The next week he passed the sacrament for the first time.  He was nervous but happy!

 Along with the ordination to look forward to, Daniel also anticipated his b-day party.  It had been 4 years since his last one. (We celebrate every year, but not with friends.)  Daniel invited several of his friends.  They ALL came.  They did not all RSVP, but I planned the most important things for all of them and was only a little thrown off to have them all show up.

We played some Lego-themed games, including shooting the BB gun at a target of their own (to take home).  We opened presents and had cupcakes.  

While we waited for rides to come take the boys back home, we visited and ran around the yard in true young men fashion.

I was pretty impressed with the behavior of these 11 and 12-year-old boys.  No one complained when they lost a game or accused anyone else of cheating.  They took everything in great stride and joked and laughed equally with each other.  They weren't all members of the church and it didn't cause any stir at all...either way.  I am glad for a first hand witness that Daniel is choosing good boys for friends!