Mark's 9th Birthday!

It must be nice to be the youngest kid, let me tell ya:) According to Alex and Katya, there is no question in their minds who is our favorite child. MARK. 😜

And this "favorite child" just turned NINE! Unreal! 

I frequently tell him the story of his birth and how he came so fast into this world that I wanted to call him "Speedy". He has been a blessing to us from the very first minute--easy going and sensible (as he used to be called in England).

This year, we celebrated Mark's birthday a day early with a friends party. But on his actual birthday, Robert and Alex had to leave quite early to go on a campout with the Boys Scouts so they weren't able to open all the presents with us. 

Here is Mark with ALL his presents (including the ones from the friends party). Mark is holding a tiny tennis racquet which is still coming...it's a big purchase so we had to make sure we are getting the right kind. 

That basketball arcade has been on his wishlist for a while. So has been the cream soda:)

So! For the party, Mark wanted to go to Red Robin for dinner. He thinks they have the best macaroni and cheese there-haha. It turns out it's also bottomless, so kids who wanted to have seconds could have seconds!

Then we drove to bowling. It was a lot of fun! These kids were very well behaved and followed our instructions well.




Then we came home and had cake and ice cream. Someone failed to buy candles....

And someone else was being a Boy Scout and decided that matches would do. 😏😳😲😰

After our sweet treat and opening gifts, the kids watched "Home Alone". Mark wanted so badly to stay up really late (like ten).

And he managed to be awake the whole movie and get to bed around 10:30. 

Height: 4'7''

Favorite Sport: Tennis

Favorite Book: Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (I didn't even know he'd actually read this book)

Favorite Movie right now: Hobbit (he is definitely our child number three)

Favorite Color: Purple

Hobby: Tennis, tennis, tennis, Wii.
When I grow up I want to be: Roger Federer

Happy Birthday, Markovka!

Lyana.