Happy 16th Birthday, Calib!

 Wednesday was Calib's sixteenth birthday! I know, I know, insert all the cliche's about how time flies by, he sure got tall, and he was just a baby. I don't really buy into those- every age is a good one! And, I look forward to them all. Time flies by, I guess, but hasn't it always? (You have to remember, I've spent my entire adult life with kids- so it's not like I have any frame of reference of adulthood time without them.) Anyway, us Waterstrauts will never pass up a chance to celebrate, so celebrate we did. 

And hey look, we can use the chalkboard for 'Happy Birthdays' again! (Last year there was always a president or two-or-four up there!)

Since the holiday weekend fell on Calib's birthday 'weekend' (remember our weekends are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), he didn't want to go out to do much on Monday. But, he did want to go to Summer of Shakes at Sonic- Usually when we go to summer of shakes, everyone gets mini or small shakes. But, since it was Calib's birthday weekend, he got a large- something he did last birthday, too. 

He did request a playing of the Bean game, as well. So we obliged. 

Mostly, Calib's requests for his birthday was all about food. We needed three days to spread out the sweets, and the eating out. We started Tuesday morning with birthday donuts. 

We had planned to hit the aquarium, since it was the last day our pass was good- but then Calib got his present from Jeff in the mail- Overwatch for the Xbox One, so he decided he just wanted to stay home and play his new game. 

But, Asa and I still had to go pick up the cupcakes from downtown Tampa. In the last year, we've discovered Gigi's cupcakes. They're good (though I'm not sure they're $3.50 a cupcake good), and Calib requested them instead of a cake. So, we ordered a head of time and went down to pick them up. 

For dinner that night we had Buffalo Wild Wings take out, again per Calib's request. The lady even put an application in the bag, since we told her we were celebrating Calib's 16th birthday. He's old enough to get a job! 

At midnight we all wished Calib a happy birthday, and we gave him one of his presents (a new shirt, pair of shorts, and socks for him to wear on his birthday)- then it was off to bed, so we could get up for Top Golf. 

Unfortunatly, it was pretty busy there- so we had to settle for a high top table instead of the couches. And we were on the 2nd floor instead of the third. I didn't mind the floor, but I missed the couch.

Although, Calib ordered lots of appetizers, so it probably wasn't such a bad idea to have a full table. 

We love Top Golf, Peyton is even talking about going on his birthday- and he hates leaving the house on his birthday, so that's impressive. 

After Top Golf we headed over to Pin Chasers for some bowling. We all had free games- so we didn't have to pay anything. Fun fact discovered at bowling: Peyton's feet are bigger than mine. 

Everyone got a nickname, except for Asa, who was conveniently the one who inputted all the names. 

Asa won, with Calib bringing up the rear, but it's worth noting, Calib's also the only one who didn't use bumpers. 

After bowling we were headed home for presents. But, we wanted to skype my mom for that, so we lit Calib's candles to sing happy birthday too (we didn't eat the cupcakes until later). The cupcakes were Buy 5 get one free, so Calib got the extra one, which was helpful for his '16' candles. 

We got Calib all kinds of new clothes- which means hand me downs for everyone else! Yay! 

But really, his big present was a new computer! I'm sure you've heard about the dark ages, which we're just about out of now- but both desktops died at the same time. 

Calib had no idea he was getting a new one- and he wouldn't have gotten it at all, if it hadn't been for grandma! (She was spending her week watching Gwen and Garrett, so we also skyped with them). 

Peyton had computer envy. We ordered ours from HP, and somehow it took nearly a month to get here (it still wasn't here Wednesday). 

Asa and Calib set off to his room to set up the computer. 

And Peyton continued to whine and complain. Which, I didn't quite get- he knew the whole time Calib was getting a computer for his birthday. In fact, the thing spent nearly three weeks in our closet. So, while we did HAVE a computer, we didn't have a computer. So many times Asa and Peyton just wanted to open that one early. I had to talk them down at least once a day. 

It took a bit to set it up... 

...so meanwhile we had the requested nachos for dinner. 

...and we ate our cupcakes. Calib got red velvet, Asa and Hayden got midnight madness, Peyton got cookie dough, and I got wedding cake. The wedding cake was really light and fluffy and lovely, but it had a whole lot of frosting on it, so I left some of it off. 

Then we went outside for a game of 'Calib' instead of 'Horse'. I won though. You don't get free wins, even if you're my kid, and it's your 16th birthday. 

Calib spent a lot of his evening playing his computer... 

...but he did request a game of Panic on Wallstreet and Cockroach poker. 

Plus then he was like 'Ok, everyone, rendezvous in the kitchen at 11pm for snacks'. I was all snacked out- but Asa and Hayden helped him out.  

That was it for Calib's birthday- but the very next morning it was Christmas for Asa and Peyton-- the new HP computer for the living room FINALLY arrived! We're out of the dark ages, and it's amazing! I have my new laptop and Surface, Asa got a new tablet, and we have two new desktops! Ta Da! 

I do have some other pictures from the last week or so- and I'll try and get those up and a quick blog sometime soon, but I also have really been dragging my feet on this blog thing lately too. So, we'll see. 

Next Up: I had big weekend plans for our last 'weekend' before school gets out, but it looks like the weather has other ideas- as a tropical system is on it's way- so it might just be a blanket fort, puzzles and board games.