Monday, August 6, 2012

The Birthday Week

Henry, with a rusty, vintage Tonka toy

It's been a busy and fun week with family here, although Henry isn't able to be in our house because he has a severe allergy to peanuts. I'm sure there isn't a square foot of our house that doesn't have peanut residue due to two dogs and peanut-laden dog chew toys. But the weather was beautiful and we sat around outdoors, playing Password and watching Henry play with toys, throw pebbles, and make dirt angels in the driveway.

Gus and Angela at Bear Paw



John feeding the penguins


Dänika, Henry, and John 
Look at that wild hair!

I seem to have a knack for stretching out a birthday week. One day we all drove into the Twin Cities to eat at Chipotle (Why don't they have one of these in Rice Lake??). There's nothing like the ambience of Brit's Pub in Minneapolis, but I feel a lot better after eating at Chipotle.  Of course we had to go to Half Price Books, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes. Now that Borders is closed, I occasionally get my copy of BBC History Magazine on E-bay, but the rest of it is sort of becoming a birthday tradition.

Little Henry is a good traveler. When he gets tired, he simply starts asking, 'Done? Done?'


And then there was morning sitting beside the garden pond, an afternoon visiting the local farmers' market, an evening around the campfire, an afternoon watching 'Have His Carcase,' an old Lord Peter movie, John catching Bluegills and roasting them for dinner, the young'uns playing games at the table, etc. etc. The last couple days Gus's mom and brother were here (and brought me dark chocolate from Seroogy's!!), then today Joe and Courtney and Rob came over for games and dinner. And I just realized that I haven't taken any photos since Thursday.

 I really wish this little guy lived closer to his grandma and grandpa


We get the other three grandsons the last week of August while their mom and dad and sisters are at the RNC in Tampa (our son's a delegate!) - and I can't wait!  Well, I'll probably try to get a few good nights' sleep in first. After all, I am a year older now.



***


SUMMER SALE
on
HANDCRAFTED SOAPS

ENDS AUGUST 8

'Barely There'
All-Natural
...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

21 comments:

Candace said...

Happy happy birthday to you! It looks like you had a wonderful birthday celebration with your kids. I can't believe how big Henry is getting.

Chatty Crone said...

Are you saying I missed your birthday? When was it and I am so sorry. Happy Birthday.

Also your grandson can't come inside your house because of his peanut allergy?

He is so cute.

And so is the rest of your family.

And I know you will have fun with the other grands.

Love, sandie

Olive said...

Henry is darling. I go to Trader Joe's any chance I get-it is 90 miles away however:}

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Sounds like a fantastic birthday week!!

Eileen H said...

Belated happy birthday wishes to you.

How sad that your grandson has a peanut allergy and can't come into your house :-(

Denise said...

Fun post.

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, the Tonka trucks!!! Jeremy ADORED the Tonka trucks! On his 2nd birthday, we got a foot of snow - that sometimes happens in January, as you well know. No one could come to dinner, but Jeremy didn't care; he spent hours shoveling snow with the collection of trucks he got for his birthday ... :)

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

I'm so sorry I missed your birthday. Happy Belated Birthday! I know you had fun, what a great week! Little Henry is adorable!

Unknown said...

My word, he is getting so big! Seems like just yesterday you were showing us his newborn picture!! Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time together!

Life Happens said...

What fun memories!! That little Henry is a cutie!

Deanna said...

Happy birthday! Henry is such a cutie-pie. :)

Heide at ApronHistory said...

That is the only way to celebrate a birthday, the week! ;) Happy Birthday!!

RURAL said...

Happy Birthday, I seem to have missed that. Sounds like you had such a great time.

Read the last post, poor stuffies...I would be laughing at my husband so hard I would fall down....he sounds very funny.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Ruth Kelly said...

Having fun with the grandkids - that is the best. I didn't know that dogs ate peanuts.

Mary said...

That's an awesome little guy and cute family fun you shared. It's so nice to be able to meet up..so many place for people to be living, working, set up homes far from grandparents. My one friend has half of her grand children in Canada and she sees them once a year.

MadSnapper said...

he is so adorable with that truck. i had no idea peanut allergies could be picked up from other things in the house than eating the peanuts. very scary and a wonderful way you found for all of you to visit in a safe way.

Debra Hawkins said...

Oh my Whole Foods and Half Priced Books are two of my favorite places in the world!

I totally feel you with the peanut allergy. Our little Sofie was deathly allergic.

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wow so nice to meet you! Thanks for your comment and have a wonderful and Happy Birthday! Gorgeous little darling!

TexWisGirl said...

i had a tonka truck when i was little. i loved that thing! and the tractor, wagon and barn set, too!

Parsley said...

Hope you had a super duper bday!

What a sweet little guy.

Carla from The River said...

Happy Birthday! Great post, looks like you had a great birthday. :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails