Saturday, March 8

We were up early this morning, around 7 a.m., so we could finish preparations for Mother's birthday party. Sis accompanied Mother to our house pretty early, and we set to work getting veggie, fruit, and deli meat/cheese trays ready, heating soups, etc.

The menu included four soups...11-bean, chicken noodle, vegetable, and potato; sandwich makings of turkey and ham, plus Havarti, baby Swiss, American, and Pepper Jack cheeses; veggie tray of salad tomatoes, yellow squash, cucumber, broccoli, baby carrots,  and cauliflower; fruit tray of strawberries, oranges, pineapple, and grapes; breads of whole wheat, white, bread rounds, and rye. Drink choices were tea, coffee, soft drinks, or water. Dessert choices were pineapple/angel food cake, chocolate cupcakes, and ice cream.

Family began arriving around 10 a.m., and by noon, most folks were here and ready to eat. I feared that there would not be enough seating room, but with the dining room table that can seat ten, and three card tables, each seating four, we managed nicely. Altogether, twenty-two family members and guests attended. So it was a lively group.

This was an opportunity for us to see a new great-grandson, baby Isaac. We all had a great time holding and cuddling him.

Mother received gifts of cash, gift cards, Jelly Belly jelly beans, and jigsaw puzzles. Daughter, who always manages to bring the "party," supplied a child's tiara for Mother to wear, and a birthday card with a lighted candle that, when blown out, starts the card flashing lights and playing the Happy Birthday song.

But Mother just couldn't seem to blow that candle out. Others tried and had no problem with it, but Mother just couldn't do it. She finally flicked the candle with her finger, and the light went out. Her antics blowing on that candle were just hilarious, and she had us all in stitches watching her.

Around 3 p.m. folks were ready to leave. One family had another birthday party to attend this evening, and younger son and his family wanted to go to the hospital to be with Grandson and his wife and new baby.

Sis remained. She has recently retired, so she is now on no particular schedule and can stay as long as she wants.

We relaxed for a while, and then later had more soup for supper. Afterward, we watched a movie borrowed from the library..."Road to Avonlea," a PG rated film about a young socialite girl, who is sent to live with her deceased Mother's relatives. She has to learn to adjust to a different lifestyle and to get along with her cousins. Good family movie.

Followed that with an episode of "Castle." Mother and Sis were ready to head home after that. Hubbie and I continued to watch TV for a while, and then headed to bed.

We set the clocks ahead an hour tonight, since tomorrow begins Daylight Savings Time. This means a one-hour loss of sleep time. Fortunately, we don't have anything pressing to get up for in the morning, so we'll rise when we awaken.