Elliott's Seventh Birthday

We have had a lovely birthday day here in the White house.  Elliott is such an enthusiastic birthday boy.  He was delighted with his presents, and loved getting calls from lots of people to wish him happy birthday.  He pretty much talked everyone's ears off!

The only fly in the ointment is that my kids are no longer 2, 4, 6 and 8.  Sigh. 

Elliott got two heavily illustrated books-- one about predators and one about earthquakes and volcanoes.

As the almost-hidden grin here shows, his daddy also bought him two games for the Gameboy.  I would never bother buying him games, because I'm mean that way, but I have to say it was fun to see how excited he was.

Checking out the games (Super Mario Bros. 3 and some dragon game) and the pickup truck Cheyenne bought with her own money.  Every once in a while, I get to see that my kids do love each other.  And I also got to see that it's really hard to find a gift under $2.  Every toy is now so heavily tied to a popular character that there are no cheap toys left in the Wal-Mart toy aisle.  Except for the $0.72 Matchbox cars.

 Bringing in the cake, tonight after supper.

 Marilla, and Elliott's new dragon puppet, helped Elliott keep track of the cake.

The fancy cake decoration?  Take a (clean) finger and drag it through the icing in the shape of a number.  Pour a bunch of sprinkles in the resulting trench.  Thank-you, you may now pin that to Pinterest on your Amazing Mommy Cakes board.

See that bulge in Rilla's cheek?  That's her obligatory bite of supper (grilled cheese and tomato soup, at Elliott's request).  It usually takes half an hour for her to swallow the tiny bite we make her eat of supper. 

Lincoln likes singing "Happy Birthday Today!"  Not sure where the "today" lyric comes from, but it's true.

 Blowing out the candles.  (The dragon chose not to relight them.)

Dragons are a big thing with Elliott this summer, so I was happy to see this dragon in a toy store in the mall when we went Friday night.  Elliott told us a bit ago that he wants a dragon for a pet.  A little one, that could be his friend.  This dragon seems to fit the bill!

I was talking to my mother-in-law tonight, and I was saying that I never could have imagined how well Elliott was going to turn out.  Seven years ago, there was so much tears and love and terror-- I hoped he would live, but I certainly was prepared for him not living.  Even when I allowed myself to dream about him surviving, I never thought he would be so healthy and smart and ELLIOTT!  I still tear up some nights, and have to go in and kneel beside the bed where he sleeps and hold him tight.  I'm never taking this boy for granted!

May 2012, Part II

For Memorial Day weekend, we headed out to Dana and Marilyn's place. We hadn't been since the fall, and it was Mammy's 90th birthday!

Aunt Sally had brought the tunnel that her grandkids have outgrown, so Grandma and Grandpa helped the kids set that up.

The excitement!

Heading through!

It was a fun spot to sit-- until a sibling got annoyed that you were impeding progress.

Marilyn's peonies were in full bloom, so I had fun taking pictures.

A little ant in that one!

And a bee, maybe?

This was in the first couple hours that we got there, so Lincoln had a worried expression on his face as he followed me around the peony bed.  After a couple hours exploring, though, he settled right into the loveliness of a new house, new toys, and the same spoiling grandparents!  :-)

Grammy with all but one of her great-grandkids!

Quite the gorgeous bunch!  Mammy was so happy to see everyone!

Mammy with her three girls.

I'm glad I married into this family!

Someone apparently said something hilarious!

An attempt to get a family picture.  Not very successful, but here 'tis.

Cute little dude in his suit.

Us 'uns.  This is such a cute little bench and stone wall, but we've never really got a good picture here, not sure why.

Charlene and her kids.

Gathered around the fire pit Sunday night, after everyone was gone.

Lincoln on the deck.

The kids were REALLY into poking the fire.  While I tried not to freak out.

My two little kids love swinging on the swing this way.

Lincoln, baby in hand, checking out what Rilla is up to.

I tried taking a picture of the fire on this setting...

and this setting...

and this setting.  I wouldn't say any of them are a howling success.  I really need to learn how to use my camera better.

Sprinkler fun on Memorial Day!

This boy sure does love the water!  This water was COLD, but he wouldn't give in and quit!

Okay, officially wrapping up May.  I may get June/July done before the end of August!