Max's Birthday

Max celebrated his birthday with his friends ... and for the first time, he actually got to celebrate his birthday with his friends ON his birthday.  Usually we have to celebrate it a week or two before ... or as with last year, a month later ... as many of his friends scatter to be with family for Christmas.  As it turned out, yesterday was the last day of school ... so what better way to celebrate the last day of school AND Max's birthday AND the end of the world (according to some misguided Mayans ... also interesting to note: for those doomsdayers that thought today was going to be the end of time, is it coincidence that as they emerged from their bunkers and saw their shadow ... six more weeks till Groundhog Day!!!!) ... A sleepover at our house!!!! 

We hosted six of Max's friends.  Unfortunately, rain forced them inside earlier than expected, but that just meant they could come inside and torment big brother Charlie.  Have you ever seen a pack of hyenas take on a lone lion ... that's what it was like ... Charlie could hold them off one at a time, but when the pack attacked together, he cowered in defeat.

The best Birthday present for Max, though, by far, was the presence of his mom ... Shelly came home from Orlando after over a month.  Shelly's dad, Jim, had successful surgery on his liver two weeks ago and also returned home on Max's birthday.  What a welcome home for mom!  10 boys eagerly awaiting pizza, cake, and ice cream.

Above and below ... the pack circling dessert after feasting on Charlie (notice, he's not pictured anywhere ... oh, my, where's Will?  They must have gotten him, too!!!)

Max, prolonging the wait with a monologue on why the San Diego Chargers are actually better than what their record would indicate.