HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t celebrate a birthday on Halloween. I remember our family when we were really young we would have dinner usually pork chops, apple sauce, and mashed potatoes (grandpa’s request). After dinner we would put on our homemade costumes my favorite ones were the cheerleader, M&M, and lady bug.

Then we would go trick or treating in our neighborhood or to church. For many years we went to a harvest party at the Babb’s house. But this year would be our first year celebrating Tommy’s birthday as just our little family of three in a new city.

Zoë’s costume wasn’t handmade, but I look forward to making one for her next year. Zoë’s Monchhichi costume originated from a visit to Tropical BBQ in Murrieta. We walked in and the owner told us she looked like a Monchhichi. I had to Google it, Tommy vaguely remembered them as a cartoon. Once I saw what a Monchhichi was I knew that’s what she had to be for Halloween.

We started Tommy’s birthday celebration the weekend before with a trip to the small town of Anoka. “Anoka, Minnesota is believed to be the first city in the United States to put on a Halloween celebration to divert its youngsters from Halloween pranks.” We joined in on their parade down Main street. We admired the floats and courts as they drove by. Zoë loved the school bands. As soon as the drum line started she would start bobbing her head.

It was an exceptionally cool day so we didn’t stay too long. Once Zoë’s nose turned red we made our way back to the car.

The day before we had passed by a White Castle so when we saw another one we decided to stop. The burgers were pretty delightful. They are small little morsels of goodness. I can see how one could consume large quantities. The thing I found interesting, but didn’t dare try was their chicken ring (a chicken nugget in the shape of a ring…so weird, but intriguing). Tommy noted that there was an excess of onions. It dawned on me when I found a recipe for White Castle burgers you put the meat on top of a layer of onions and that’s exactly how they are made. I guess I could have warned him.

Overall it was a good experience. On our way back I thought it would be a good idea to visit one of the 1,000 lakes, Lake Calhoun. We made it out of the car and maybe 50 feet before we got back in the car and headed home. It was far too cold to walk around, at least for us. I look forward to going back in the spring time! But before we got back in the car I was able to snap a few pictures. Once we got home we decided to decorate our pumpkin. I had picked up a sticker kit to decorate the pumpkin this year instead of carving. So we “helped” Zoë apply the stickers to the pumpkin. She appeared more interested in picking off the stickers then putting them on!

10/31/2012 On Tuesday we made preparations to celebrate Tommy’s 28th birthday. For lunch Tommy came home. It is always nice to see him mid day. We really enjoy the convenience of him being able to walk home for a quick visit. We gobbled up our buffalo chicken nachos and sent him on his way. After lunch I threw all of the ingredients for beef sliders into the crock pot. Then Zoë and I went off to Target to get last-minute presents and ingredients for Tommy’s birthday dessert. Once we got home birthday preparations were in full swing. Zoë and I quickly began preparing the lemon tart (Tommy requested something with lemon). We started by crushing some ginger snaps. I really wished I had Myrna’s homemade ginger snaps for this, but we made do with our store-bought ones. Zoë loves banging on the table so I thought this task would be right up her alley. I showed her a couple times and then handed over the spoon and she had fun “smashing” the cookies.

I finished the crust and got the ingredients for the filling. I let Zoë play with the lemon while I put the rest of the ingredients in the bowl.

After I juiced the lemon I let her taste test it. She didn’t like it as much as the lime, but she couldn’t stop herself. We finished up the pie and set the table with presents and cards. Around 5:30 we heard the door unlock and Dada was home. We got a few hugs in and then the celebration began. Tommy opened his presents from Zoë, me and Uncle Daniel. After presents we enjoyed our sliders (They were a little salty, Nona you would not have liked them!) Once everything was cleaned up we went for a walk in an old neighborhood. It was a chilly night so it was a short walk. We topped off the night with a slice of lemon tart pie. It was very good. I was glad it turned out. I am not much of a baker. Before we turned in for the night we got to FaceTime some of our family! (Warning if you FaceTime with us you might get your picture taken! Ashley and Sami…I got some really special pictures of you girls! Nona I spared you this time.)