Cole's Birthday--He's Five!!

Can't believe Cole's five. He is a pretty great five-year old, we think. Very responsible and self-motivated kid. He's always saying, "Mom, we need to do homework!" Because he knows that if he gets enough "x"s from doing homework he'll earn a new toy. Toys, by the way, are Legos. Last time we visited the store to redeem his prize he bypassed several aisles and said, "Let's get to the REAL toys [the Lego aisle]." But I digress.

We started out Cole's day with breakfast in bed, including 5 pieces of bacon, which were his favorite. Then the present unwrapping. Later he went to pre-school and had another celebration with cupcakes for all his classmates. We finished off the day with a group of friends going to the Birch Aquarium. Then back home for pizza, ice cream cake and MORE presents. Cole says, "You know what Mom? I like my birthdays!" "What do you like best?" "The presents!" Of course. What did I expect from a five-year old? Wishes for world peace?

Clint's Birthday--He's Old

Clint woke up bright and early last Sunday, not because it was his birthday, but because he had to go to work. What a bummer. Write that down as one more reason we're looking forward to our move to Tennessee--no drill weekends. To try to make his morning special we brought him breakfast in bed--waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, bacon and OJ. I was going to take a picture but hesitated. You know how male adults hate having their picture taken. Anyway, he seemed to have a good birthday. After he returned from work his Mom (she and Cap came into town for the occasion) made Clint a lemon meringue pie. I think it speaks very well of Clint that I didn't know this was his favorite dessert. Because, had I known I would have tried to make one and it would certainly not have measured up--not to Clint's standards, but to the reality that Pam's lemon meringue pie is the most amazing creation ever and would put Amelia Bedelia to shame. Delicious. What did Clint get for his birthday? A Leigh FMT Mortise and Tenon Jig, of course, duh! And a Beall Tilt Box from my Mom. Must you ask such obvious questions? This is why Clint pretty much buys his own presents (and uses them the moment they arrive, which was two weeks before the celebratory day. He's also already received and used his Christmas presents). I feel bad about not being able to surprise him with fabulous gifts, but the permagrin he has when he's in the garage tells me he's not complaining.