Weekend Update

We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday this weekend. It was quite a milestone, considering all of the medical things he and my stepmom have faced recently. (And there are more things to come this week). They haven't had much of a chance to get out and enjoy life, but this weekend I think they did.

Friday night started with a celebration at a really good Mexican food place. We all lined up at a huge table and visited. We had to wait a long time for the food, but the kids were good. The girl fell asleep with her head resting on the table, so I took her into my lap for a nowadays rare cuddle. We had cake, and the waiters sang and made Dad wear a big sombrero. He hates that sort of thing, I am sure because he was obsessing over how many other people had that same hat on their heads... but he was a good sport about it.

The only thing missing was my brother, who was on the road from Dallas. We kept him up to date and entertained in traffic with text messages and photos.

He arrived at my house shortly after we got home from the restaurant. Brian decided he needed a snack, and pulled out all of the stuff he'd brought. He is apparently prepared for any snack emergency... he had Sun Chips, mini chocolate chip cookies in handy 100 calorie pouches, and chocolate praying hands.

Something about the idea of chocolate praying hands struck me as funny, because I laughed... Kind of like the time my dad got tickled at this movie called Used Cars and ended up giggling and under the coffee table with tears rolling out of his eyes.

Yesterday Dad brought his pot and propane bottle, and boiled 5 pounds of shrimp for us. I made salad, baked potatoes, and his favorite pineapple cake. After we'd eaten, the boys all went to Academy to look and guns, knives, and other man-stuff.

Brian went to see a friend last night. After he got home we watched Rock n Roll High School. For those of you who aren't familiar with The Ramones, it's a circa 1980 moving tale of teenage groupies who turn their high school upside down in the quest for fun and concert tickets.

This morning Brian got doughnuts and then hit the trail to home. My kids were sorry to see him go. And so was I. We welcome adult company and conversation anytime.