Christmas Traditions-#4 Mitch's bday

I don't know why I am titling these posts "Christmas Traditions". They are really December traditions, but oh well, it all runs together.
Next, we have birthday celebrations. Mitch is the first one that comes in December. Well actually, my brother, Brent's, is on the 4th. I don't have to do much for him, so I guess his doesn't really count.
Happy Birthday, Mitch! You are so awesome, we all love you so much and are so glad you are in our family! Mitch is definitely the peacemaker in our home. If he can tell that I am in a bad mood he will give me a hug and tell me he loves me. What a sweet kid he is with an amazing spirit! He is always happy and loves to help out with anything he can. He is David's "mini me". We comment quite often how he reminds us so much of David. Love you Mitch!
For my kid's birthdays, I try to make it special. We have their favorite meal for breakfast, on the red b-day plate, I take them lunch of their choice(Mitch's was a burrito and chips & salsa from Aliberto's), a treat for their class, then we end the day with David & I taking them out to dinner at a restaurant of their choice. Sometimes it's a nice place, sometimes it's McDonald's playland you never know with kids. Mitch chose Charlie Clark's Steakhouse this year. We had great hamburgers and a Bloomin Onion.
While we were sitting at the restaurant, I remembered that I had forgotten to make a cheesecake for Mitch. I called Ryan and asked him to whip one up (Jello brand is pretty easy). He had helped me before, plus there was a babysitter there, so I thought it would be no problem. Well, I got home and saw the cheesecake. It didn't quite look like the kind I make.:) The crust was crumbly and the filling was VERY yellow. I knew something had gone very wrong, then I was the butter flavored Crisco sitting on the counter. I knew exactly what had happened. Ryan said he couldn't find any margarine, so the babysitter said he could use the Crisco. It does look like margarine when it is wrapped in it's wrapper. I think it would have been ok if he had mixed it in with the graham cracker mixture, but he mixed it in with the cheese cake mixture. It was disgusting! David and I put on a happy face and pretended like it was no big deal. Ryan was pretty embarrased about the whole thing. We sang Happy Birthday to Mitch and each of us took our piece. Ryan asked for ice cream instead. When I asked him why he didn't want cheesecake, he said, "It's disgusting!" Well, the nice mom that I am, I took a piece of cake and ate it. Well, a couple of bites anyway. I almost threw up. The crisco was sticking to the roof of my mouth and gagging me. Mitch ate away as though nothing was wrong with it, as did Steve. Mitch said, "Thanks for making this cheesecake Ryan, it's great!" Mitch has been such a fun kid to have in our family.
Some of Mitch's favorite things are: Drawing (he's amazing at it!), skiing, being with his dad, playing with his brothers, off-roading, basketball, baseball, xbox, riding his Ripstik, and reading the Peter and the Starcatcher books.

A few other things that have happened recently- Mitch received his Arrow of Light and religious knot. He already earned his Webelos award. Ryan earned his Wolf award. He also lost a tooth.