And Down the Stretch They Come

The kids have entered the home stretch - the last nine weeks of school! Didn't they just start yesterday?! Seth will be wrapping up his first year in high school (at least 5" taller - or so it seems - and with his learner's permit in hand) and Jenna will be wrapping up her last year at the elementary school. Steve and I went to a parent meeting for the new middle school and we're excited that Jenna will be opening a brand new, state-of-the art middle school when her class enters in August.

The kids will be on spring break starting on April 2 through the following week. Right now we don't have a lot of plans. We are planning to meet Sharon on Monday to go hiking, but other than that there is nothing on our calendar for that week - which is nice. I hope the weather is nice so we can be outside a lot.

I'm actually looking forward to summer break this year since we've had such a busy school year. It will be nice not having to keep up with schedules, homework, band, fundraisers, etc. Steve will have to travel some for work this summer - going to Michigan, Wisconsin and maybe Maine. We're going to try to get back to South Carolina at some point this summer. Jenna is planning to go to a Christian day camp the last week in June with some other kids from church. Seth was planning to go back to Fargo but unfortunately we think that trip is going to be cancelled due to low numbers. He will have band practices throughout the summer and is planning to go to Centrifuge at Union University in Jackson, TN with the youth group. I am looking forward to our family vacation in July - we're going back to Perdido Key on the panhandle in Florida.

Steve Turns 50!

We have had a fun weekend celebrating Steve's 50th birthday. The celebration began for Steve when he walked into his office Friday morning to find a sea of black balloons, black streamers, black decorations, etc. His co-workers took him out for lunch at Jonathan's. Friday night Steve wanted to use his birthday coupon for a free burger from Red Robin so we went there for dinner and stopped at Cold Stone Creamery on our way home for ice cream.

When we got home Friday night, the kids gave Steve his birthday present from us - his very own personalized Steeler jersey (notice the number on the jersey). We told him he had to wear it and be dressed and ready to go on Saturday at 1:30.

On Saturday, the kids and I hosted a drop-in for Steve from 2:00 - 5:00. About a month ago, I had a flash of creativity (which doesn't happen very often) and I came up with the theme "Counting the Years" since Steve is an accountant. His high school and college colors are the same (red, white and black) so those are the colors we used for decorations. The tables were simply decorated with bunches of red, white and black balloons and bowls of M&M's and peanuts and we had a marble cake and punch. Many friends from church, work and neighbors came. It was a fun afternoon. Some people brought "50 of something" for Steve - he received 50 M&M's, 50 jelly beans, 50 pennies, 50 prunes, a 50 foot electrical cord, 50 puzzle pieces, etc.

After the drop-in, Steve to go to Bucca di Beppo for his birthday dinner. My sister, Sharon and her husband, Brad joined us. After an hour wait, we had a great Italian meal. My sister and brother-in-law even presented Steve with a trophy for turning 50!

When we got home Saturday evening, Steve opened all his cards. I had been confiscating the cards that came in the mail.....so he had a lot to open!




Steve reading some of the memories family and friends sent in.

A neighbor helped me and Jenna make a tri-fold display. We listed places Steve has lived, schools, college, special places, etc. and put pictures on it.

Also on that table were special pictures from throughout the years, starting with his baby pictures.