Michael isn't the only person in our family who celebrates a birthday on July 18. Elijah's Webkinz, Spot, also shares that date for his birthday. So, since we couldn't celebrate with Michael, we had a party for Spot.
Spot even got a couple of frog-themed gifts, in his favorite color, green. Katie sewed him a lilypad bed and pillow with a green fleece blanket.
Now, in case any of you think I've completely lost my mind, or just don't have enough to do if I have time to throw a party for a stuffed frog, I have two things to say in my defense:
1. This was a a good distraction to keep me from feeling too sad abut the birthday I wasn't getting to celebrate with Michael.
2. There is not a bad reason to eat cake.
I do have to say that this did test Dan's ability to be a good sport. He's a great dad. He kisses Eleanor's baby dolls goodnight when she asks, plays games, "eats" play dough cookies that are served to him, and all kinds of other things, but the birthday party for the frog was just foolishness to him.
He ate the cake though. :)
On Sunday, we celebrated a very special family member's birthday. My dear grandma, Eileen Allen, turned 85.
The birthday girl. Isn't she lovely?
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Happy Birthday, GG!
We love you!
Elijah was a wall hanger.
He never did quite get the hang of it, although Katie pushed/pulled/dragged him around the rink a few times.
Dan tried to help him too, but unfortunately Elijah seems to have inherited his mother's natural balance. You will notice there are no pictures of me out there. I will never go skating with Dan again. The one and only time I ever went ice skating he tried to kill me. He denies it, but it's true. :)
Mackenzie had no trouble zipping around the rink.
Even with all his falls, he managed to have fun.
But laser tag was more fun and he was better at it. 
Cool blacklights.
While the big kids were doing laser tag and skating, Eleanor and I checked out the mini golf course. After the first two holes, she decided it was much easier to just drop the ball in the hole than to mess with the putter. It goes a lot faster that way, too.
She was very distressed when her ball went into the water the first time, but once she found out there were nets to fish it out...well, that's even more fun than dropping the ball in the hole!
