After spending most of the winter in hibernation, its amazing how much the warm weather of summer calls to us to get together with friends and family. Impromptu afternoon BBQs and last minute pool parties are a common part of our summers up here in Ontario. So when my grandfather’s birthday came around, it was inevitable that we would have three things: 1) lemonade on the back porch 2) homemade burgers fresh off the BBQ and 3) delicious birthday cake…and lots of it.
My aunt made a great birthday cake to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday, however, my blonde side came out when I lit all the candles with a match, then blew the match out and looked up to realize that I blew out all the candles too and had to re-light them. What can I say? I’m not always a quick one.
I sometimes wonder what it has to feel like to be my grandfather and look around to see all of us sitting at the table and realize that we all came from him. Even that joker in the background (Hi Dad!).
It was nice to have all the family around for the festivities. These days all of us siblings have been working in different places and on opposite days, so having everyone together is a nice change. Back when we were just little babes and stayed home all the time, I wish that we’d realized that was such a luxury.
My cousin came along too and brought his sweet little boy, Cayden. I can’t believe how much he has grown! I couldn’t resist holding him…until he started to pull out my earrings. I swear that little kids are like ravens in the way they are so attracted to little shiny things they can grab. I have to make a mental note to not wear jewelery around this little guy!
Another new addition to the family is my Nana’s sweet little dog, Jack. With big ears, short legs and a long body, he is all over the place, but his cuteness makes up for it.
Whiskey was happy to welcome him to the family…they played for 4 hours straight!
The second they left, he collapsed in my arms immediately and slept the whole evening.
As Whiskey points out, having the family over can be so exhausting, but at the same time its so great to see everyone. Time goes by so fast and before you know it we won’t be seeing each other again until Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. And by then we’ll be back to hibernation mode in our sweaters.
With only so many days left of summer, I’m off to go sit in the sun and read some more of Kathryn Stockett’s book The Help. Its been a great summer read so far and its the kind of book that you just can’t put down.
