Great to be Eight

Nathan and Zachary were invited to attend their first Cub Scout pack meeting last night since their birthday was the next day. It was a special pack meeting because the Honor Guard from base attended and did the flag ceremony. I went out Monday and bought the uniform and book for each boy. Zach must have read the book 3 times before last night. He is so excited about joining Cub Scouts. I thought they looked adorable in their new uniforms. After the pack meeting, I had a Relief Society Christmas Meeting. So I quickly dropped the kids off at home and gave Eric a list of things to do. He had offered to make the boys' ice cream cake since Mario was out of town. Then he and Erin decorated the house. They put streamers everywhere, even up the stairs making it a maze. There were streamers hanging from my Christmas tree to the light all the way on the other side of the large living room. The twins loved it.

Unfortunately Mario had to go TDY to Las Vegas all week, so he missed out on all the birthday celebrations. Last night the boys had a really hard time going to sleep because they were so excited about their birthdays. This morning they were up very early as well. We started our morning with blueberry bagels that they chose for breakfast. Nate and Zach exchanged gifts that they got for each other. I found it interesting that each got the other a book they wanted from the book fair. They also opened some gifts from Grandma. Then I went to school with them because it was my day to volunteer in their classes. I checked them out at lunchtime and we went to McDonalds.

Mrs. Williams and class singing to Nate

After school, they each invited a friend to come play at the house for a few hours. They wanted to go to Rocks and Ropes and go rock climbing. But without Mario, I didn't feel that would be safe with friends. So we stayed home, played Wii, football, Legos, and Foosball. I took pity on a friend in the neighborhood that we hadn't invited but Nathan had proudly told that it was his birthday and he was going home to have a party. I know CJ felt bad he wasn't invited. So Zach and Nathan along with their friends ran over to his house to invite him to come play. So with 5 boys between the ages of 7-9, my house was quite loud. But I think they had a lot of fun.

Nathan invited Adian. They have been good friends since first grade. Now Adian is in Zach's class, so Nathan is a bit jealous that he and Zach have become friends too. Zach's best friend is Isaiah. They have been friends since kindergarten. I don't know how the two of them stay friends. They are SO competitive with each other. They each act like he is the best at everything. Today they were arguing over Wii remotes. Eric overhead this conversation between them.

Zach-"We have 4 wii remotes."

Isaiah-"Well I have 5 remotes at my house."

Zach-"Well only 4 people can play at a time, Stupid."

That is a typical conversation between the two of them (and stupid is a bad word in the Perez House). But they remain best friends. So I am a little sad to see Zach lose his buddy when we move. At least he will always have Nate.

Nate and CJ

Isaiah, Zach, and Adian with Eric's homemade ice cream cake

Lego World Racers

Zach and Isaiah

Now the boys have December 17th to look forward to because that is the day of the Stake Baptisms. We have been having many FHE on baptism, so hopefully they will be prepared for the Bishop's interview on Sunday.

What great gifts Heavenly Father gave me 8 years ago. As their kindergarten teacher commented today, "I got a 2 for 1." Truly I did. I love you both so much.