aunty turns 40!

On Saturday, we were celebrating my younger sister turning 40.  My sister that lives in Harrisburg traveled in earlier in the day for our sister’s birthday.  She came straight to my house, so that her kids could spend time with mine.  Whenever she comes, Bob tends to play with the boys and SJ plays with her daughter. 

Since it was their first time seeing our mostly finished basement, two of my sister's kids were busy watching a movie in the basement.  The other boy was outside playing with Bob and surprisingly SJ.  The oldest boy, Gabriel, eventually joined his brother, Cedar, and my boys outside.  They were playing a war game with their Star Wars guns.

My sister couldn't stay long, since we were meeting the birthday girl and my parents at Max and Erma's for dinner.  I had checked the menu earlier in the day to see if there was food that the boys would like.  Fortunately, there were a few items I knew they would enjoy. 

We arrived at Max and Erma's at 5:00.  It wasn't too crowded, but it was crowded enough that I wasn't worried if Bob or SJ got loud.  They sat on the end of the long table with Gabriel and Cedar.  Bob and SJ ordered pizza.  I was surprised that SJ didn't order grilled cheese, but he does love pizza. 

After the food arrived, SJ didn't seem to like the pizza.  He left most of it on his plate, but finished off his fries and some of the adults' fries.  My mom had told the waitress that we were celebrating my sister's birthday.  When our dinner was done, the wait staff brought out a half dozen cookies and sang to her.  She seemed very pleased. 

When dinner was done, we went to my parents' house for cake.  My aunt from California had also made a 40th birthday video of pictures of her life and we all enjoyed watching it.  My sister seemed very surprised that she made one for her, but I thought she would have known it was coming.  (My aunt made a similar video for me last year.)

After the cake and video, we all went outside and watched the kids play.  Bob, Cedar and Gabriel were playing wiffle ball.  SJ occasionally joined them or went back in the house for some IPod time.  When it got dark out, my mom had my husband and brother-in-law assist the kids light paper lanterns to cap off the day.  They had some trouble, but six minutes later the lanterns were climbing into the dark night sky.

We stayed at my parents until after 10.  Bob wanted Cedar and Gabriel to have a sleepover, but I couldn't fit all of them in our vehicle.  Bob asked to stay at my parents' house.  That was fine with me.  SJ, my husband and I drove home. SJ was very talkative in the car.  Sometimes he likes being an only child for the night.  Who wouldn't like to get all of their parents' attention?