A Day With a Niece 07/15/12

As the nieces and nephews get older, we give them a choice for their birthday. They can have a present or an activity. Activity often wins out over the present. Carissa turned 7 on July 1. She chose activity, and we decided on the wave pool. This 90-degree day was the perfect afternoon for just such an activity. (Greg was working today, so he didn't get to frolic in the waves with us). Carissa loved the waves (more than I thought she would). We had a great time in the water and then ended our time there with an ice cream cone. 

Happy Birthday, Carissa!

Happy Birthday, Mama

Today was my Mom's birthday. After work, I drove up to my parents' house to bring dinner (a little KFC, mmmm) and spend some time with them. My brother (Rob) made a visit as well and brought two of the grandchildren (his daughter and niece), Emily and Kylie. We had a fun time being together.

Happy Birthday, Mama. I am so grateful to God for you and for your influence in my life. Every day I appreciate you more and more.

Cookie Baking Night 07/10/12

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night (due to a scheduling conflict on my part, we had it on Tuesday instead of Monday this week). In attendance this evening: Carissa. And it also happened to be Carissa's birthday choice (she turned 7 years old on July 1). For her birthday dinner she chose macaroni and cheese and berries. For her choice of cookies, back by popular demand, Dirt Cups.

I think she enjoyed having the creation process all to herself. She crushed the cookies, layered the pudding, and put in the gummy worms (which seems to be the best part for all kids involved). We used the same cups as the last time we made this treat (the little cups with lids, brilliant!) Tonight, for the flower, I printed flowers on the computer. We cut them out, taped a straw to the back, and poked them through the hole in the lid.

As usual, a fun time was had by all.