Happy 10th Talmage

Happy Birthday to my handsome boy.  

For his birthday Tal chose to go to I-Jump with his friend Brad, and Abi and Leah.  They bounced, jumped into the foam pits, played dodgeball and had a great time.

His aunt Sarah made this awesome Candybar card.  How did she know?  Tal wanted money, to buy crown cards and video games, and candy for his birthday.  Mom and Dad bought him a new bike however.  Tal is anxious to get out and ride it as soon as the snow melts.  Aunt Kalene surprised Tal by spoiling him with Crown Cards and then Nana and Papa Fife took him out to lunch at Chuck a Rama and he got to spend his birthday money to buy a new video game.  Lucky, Lucky boy.

Tal's newest fixation is on playing this computer game called Wizard 101.  So per his request I made a Wizard 101 cake, this is supposed to be the Battle Area of the game with the different signs for the houses.

10 Great Things About Tal

1.  Tal is a video game nut.  His current faves are Wizard 101 and Minecraft but he also got Lego Lord of the Rings for his birthday so I am sure he will beat that soon.  90% of Tal's conversation revolves around his battles or creations, but we limit him to 2 hours of screen time a day.

2.  Tal loves Fantasy of every sort.  He has recently read  the Peter and the Starcatchers series, Candy Shop War, and Pseudonomous Bosch books.

3.  For his birthday dinner he picked breakfast crepes.  He still loves pizza, Mac and Cheese, and fondue also.  For lunch he hates meat and cheese sandwiches but will eat PB&J's every day of the week. His new favorite drink is Caffeine Free Pepsi which he gets on pizza night or at Nana Meek's. 

4.  His new best friend is Brad Johnson.  At school they have a "club" where they talk about weapons, Ninja training and the like.  Brad came with us to I-Jump and he and Tal seem like 2 peas in a pod.

5.  Tal loves to build forts in the basement.  He drapes every blanket in the house over large arrangements of chairs, furniture and toys to create rooms and castles.  He is great about letting his little sisters play in the forts as well.  A favorite thing to do is sleep in the fort over the weekend.  

6.  Tal's piano playing is taking on a whole new level of musicality.  His hands are nearly as large as mine and he stretches an octave easily.  He really likes fast and or loud songs but as his technique matures I am starting to hear softs and legatos as well.  For Festival this year he is playing El Conquistador and Trumpet Tune.  Tal also loves to put on his playlist of music during Dishes Dance Party - favorites include Apache, Cupid Shuffle, and Gangnam Style.

7.  Tal loves Cub Scouts.  He earned his Bear and we will soon sta rt working on his Webelo.  He enjoys camping, hiking and spending time outside, especially building fires and roasting marshmallows.  He loves carving sticks into wands, swords and knives with his own pocket knife.  

8.  Tal is the Go-to guy in Primary.  He always knows the songs and usually sings them loudly.  He seems to know all the answers and is rarely stumped.  He loves playing games and competition in Primary, especially when he wins.  When he gets answers correct he will place both hands behind his head and lean back into his chair, "Oh yeah."

9.  Tal is the number one proponent of Family Game Night.  He loves to play Word on the Street, Skip-Bo, Clue, Uno Attack, and Harry Potter.

10.  He is a great brother to his little sisters.  He gives Eva piggy back rides around the house and tickles her.  He lets Leah build with his Legos.  Recently he started "Talmage Arcade" where he plays different games with Leah and Eva on the trampoline.  He and Abi have a more difficult relationship recently but they do enjoy watching the same TV shows together, listening to music, and reading some of the same books.