Helena got to Southwest at her usual time and Rob, Mitch, and I sang to her at 4:30 PM. I sang “Happy Birth-minute to You”. Mitch drew a cake with candles on the Activboard and told Rob to Control-Z then to make them go out when she stood on a stool to blow on them.

On our way home we stopped by Lake Calhoun to walk on it. Wind-skiers (if that is what they are called) were out on the lake. Some guys were just talking and they let us look and touch their parachute/sail apparatus while we walked around. Once we got back to the car, Pop-pop called (or tried to since he can only seem to talk for four minutes before his line goes dead), and then we made it home.

I always like making their favorite dinner for them on their birthdays, which was almost always macaroni and cheese, but Dalen now let’s the kids pick a place to eat out. Only now Dalen picks the place, too, so we ended up at Macaroni Grill since she thinks Helena will like their mac and cheese. As it turns out, Helena has a pizza anyway.

So that takes most of the night. By the time we arrive back home it is too late for cake – well, we were given cake at the restaurant anyway, so that was out. She did open her presents, but since it was so late, she couldn’t play with them anyway, although she did apply some makeup right before bead.

I think that I’ll insist that we’re eating at home from now on when it comes to kids’ birthdays. I’m sure there can be exceptions, but birthday’s out after a day of school and work when we have to do the same the following day doesn’t allow for a night out for dinner.