February 18 – “A Stinky Birthday”

It has come to my attention that the newest member of our entourage has not of yet been formally introduced to the blog world.  So sorry about that oversite.  Her name is of course derived from her place of origin, so allow me to introduce you to Mammy the Sloth, now companion to Nonay. 

We had a little family birthday party for Josh at breakfast on Friday.  His boys gave him a new game called Stinky Pig.  It’s one of those pass-around hot potato-type games.  The pig plays music while you pass it around the circle.  If the music stops and the creature passes gas while you hold it, you lose.  Great fun.  Almost as impressive as the game their third set of grandparents gave them.  That one is called Gas Out starring Guster the Gas Cloud.  Same idea.  However, a cloud is not exactly what Guster calls to mind when you look at him.  Let’s just say his image fits the game concept.

Josh and Christi left for their night away around 9 or 10.  All the boys have school on Fridays, so we had AnnaGrace all by herself.  Very difficult time for all three of us … Not.  It was great fun. 

That afternoon we managed to find the boys’ school sites with a little help from our good friend Google Siri.  So far she and Chris are still on speaking terms.  We’ll see how that relationship pans out in coming days on the road.  The late afternoon and early evening was spent in watching a movie and eating pizza.  AnnaGrace went down to sleep at a reasonable hour, followed by Zak who disappeared into his room.  Luke was determined to have a sleepover in the living room, so he and Chris and Caleb ended up there, on the floor.  I took a page from Zak’s handbook and snuck into our bedroom.  All was well until early, early morning (like 2:30 early) when AnnaGrace stirred.  Chris was johnny-on-the-spot though, and had her in arms before anyone else woke up.  A problem did arise about an hour later, though.  Chris had to go to the bathroom, and AnnaGrace was not so happy about that decision.  I heard the ensuing tumult and staggered into her bedroom, but by the time I arrived Chris was back, and the two of them were motoring back and forth in the rocking chair.  I made my way back to the bed after a quick check on the sleepover gang.  It was a shorter night than usual, but somehow fresh donuts in the morning make anything seem just a little more palatable.  Kind of like Sunday mornings at Seaside …

Psalms 33:20-22 says, “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Father, thank you for the birthday fun.  And thanks for Chris’ Mommy instincts taking care of AnnaGrace in the middle of the night.  Amen.