And some of the others

Happy Birthday Yaya and Buddy

Happy 66th Birthday Grandma Yaya! 

Baylor made her a cake.  Don't worry it is just a doctored cake mix.  But it is super delicious!!   He wielded  the hand mixer again and would push my hands away when I tried to help.  It has a mocha ganache for frosting and naturally it had to have sprinkles! 

He also helped to put the candles in the cake.  They are very thin and break easily.  Some were stuck in folded at the break for another level of flames.  Nice touch I thought.  I did not let him light the candles but it is pretty safe to let him try with the safety lock on the lighter. 

It was a race to see who could blow out the candles first. 

Being a good Grandma, she was happy to share the joy of blowing out the candles.

But Grandma got to cut the cake all by her big girl self! 

We also took her and Buddy out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  It was her choice and they shouted to the entire place that she was celebrating her birthday.  At least they did not make her sit on the saddle and sing to her.  She was spared that fun! 

OK that was a week ago on the 20th. Her birthday is on the 18th but I did not have off that day.  This Friday, the 26th, was Buddy's 70th birthday.  I had the day off because the sitter was on vacation.  We left the house at 8PM on Thursday in a rain storm and arrived at their house at 9 PM.  It stopped raining 10 minutes from their house. Nice.  I guess I am getting old when I say I don't like driving in the rain at night.  I also am not sure how the minivan does in the rain and just had visions of hydroplaning with that big boat of a vehicle.  Baylor did really well in the car, at bedtime, during a rain storm.

He asked for pancakes for breakfast and Grandma made him his first mouse pancake.  He loved it.

We went to the Green Dragon first. It was a beautiful day and I know how crowded it can get so we went as early as we could get Yaya moving. She is not a morning person like myself, Buddy and Baylor.  Mom and Dad tend to complain about the heat and I knew it would not be fun if we waited until later. We browsed a few shops and stands.  My favorite stop is the Parsley Porch.  I love buying all my herbs and spices there.  I restocked the pantry with fall spices.  We are ready for fall baking and cooking now.   

I did not take too many photos because I was also trying not to lose my son.  We bought corn, beans, and grapes.  

We bought Buddy a big bag of roasted peanuts for his birthday and a sarsaparilla soda. 

On the way out we saw this sign and all decided we would not be stopping there for any lunch specials.  

After the Green Dragon we went to the Flower and Craft Warehouse in Blue Ball to find something to use for the ring pillow for my brother's wedding but that is another post.  After that we took Buddy to lunch at Shady Maple. Since it was his birthday his meal was free so I only had to pay for Mom and me.  Baylor was free too!  We ate too much but enjoyed all the things we don't make often at home. They had a photo place there with a fake cow to sit on.  I totally became a tourist and bought into the idea.

Come on, he is too cute to not get the photos done.  They had the overalls, scarf and hat.  I really do not dress him like that everyday.  Especially since we were in Lancaster County and people might have stared at him. 

 Then we went to Goods to find a combine toy for Baylor.  It is an awesome store, geared for Amish and Mennonites shopping but this one makes its money off the tourists.  They have a huge section of John Deere and other farm machinery in the toy aisle.  We found Corey Combine and Baylor was happy.  Then we made a stop at Shady Maple Grocery Store.  I only shopped at the bulk section for dip mixes and snacks for our upcoming trip to Vermont.  It was after 3 when we were done shopping and it took Baylor about 3 minutes to fall asleep in the car.  After what seemed like a too brief nap at the house it was party time.  I made Dad a peach pie while Baylor was napping and Dad was jonesing to get to it.  Pie is his favorite and peach crumb is his most favorite of them all.

Dad did good an let Baylor help with the candles.  One never knows with Dad which way he will run, hot or cold.  He did good.  Baylor was singing to Dad about the time the photo was taken. After three back to back birthdays he has Happy Birthday down pat. 

One, two, three BLOW!

We stayed the night and Baylor wanted Buddy to read him Tommy Tractor. On the inside cover is written, To Teddy on his 7th birthday. Love, Mother and Father. Please take good care of me.  That was 63 years ago and I think he did a good job taking care of Tommy.  And now Baylor loves it. 

Happy Birthday Grandma Yaya and Buddy.  We love you! 

Secret life of bees

Happy Birthday Gloryann

Happy Birthday to my wife!  It has been a great 11 years and 11 birthdays together.  I know we have both enjoyed those years and we are looking forward to all the future birthdays we spend together. 

I love you!!!