Instead of celebrating Stefan's birthday with cake and friends, we held a funeral of sorts. With pie. Mud Pie. And Grasshopper Pie. I even hi-jacked the Mintling's kitchen & freezer for the pies!
It was good I made two! (I also learned that ganache freezes, no matter what. Oh, Mrs. Richard's, how I do miss thee!)
And lasagna. Stefan's choice. He is really his father's child! The Sicilian in him is strong...
And lasagna. Stefan's choice. He is really his father's child! The Sicilian in him is strong...
On Saturday, the Paluszek's came over and bid adieu to Stefan's first decade of life. The end of single digit ages. Never to go back. He would no longer be considered an incompetent child by the US government, but, instead, one that is trustworthy and capable enough to have an I.D. card. To walk on base. ALONE! To go to the pool. ALONE!!! To stay at home (in base housing). ALONE!!!!! To come onto base - without an ADULT! Not to be confused with riding the trains alone - with only your parent to judge if they deem you capable. Or staying at home alone (off base) - again, only by your parents' judgment.
So, we held a funeral. To pay condolences to the "oppression" of government childhood. We lit the funeral pyre:
Of course, I used the re-lighting variety. Stefan had to blow five-times his age to get the candles out all at the same time. Only to have them relight again. He was an incredible sport - especially since we were all laughing at him. And making personal jabs about his old lungs.
Except for Ian. He was bawling - afraid the candles would melt the pie.
Priorities.
The Paluszek's gave him a distraction gift. To cover for the "pee your pants" gift...
A Pokemon game with a super pack (did I get that right?!?). He peed.
Matthew stayed the night and we headed up to the Pokemon Center for a birthday soiree to ring in the new decade. They had a blast - I had a pretty great time being their chaperone :)
The party favors were enough ¥en to cover a new pack of Pokemon favors! They proceeded to sort, trade, ogle, admire, swap, beg, brag, and so on for the remainder of the day. Even at Bubby's, where we had huge burgers, pink lemonade and more pie!
After we checked out the drydock at the base of the Landmark Tower (who knew?!?) and the Roller Coaster that was on the afternoon's agenda. Instead we walked through the amusement park only to discover the ominous clouds shut the ride down...
So, instead, they played skeeball! Auntie Leah - I finally found skeeball! It has taken me four and a half years, but I have finally found SKEEBALL!!!
I think they would have preferred the roller coaster - it will have to wait for another day. Maybe next birthday!
Happy Birthday Stefan! I had a very enjoyable day letting one 10-year old and his buddy have a Pokemon Adventure. It makes me more than just a little nostalgic looking back at the past decade and seeing the beautiful first born son growing into an amazing young gentleman. I pray the next decade passes more slowly....
