Last Birthday of the Year

 Well, I may have run out of birthday enthusiasm, since I seem to have taken so few photos of Dan's birthday!  Someone hit the big 4-0 this year and we celebrated in usual style.  Which to say, with no style at all.  Cake is the only requirement, and that was there!  The traditional Jello Poke Cake that Dan enjoys was much enjoyed and devoured.

The loot was well received.  The kids especially had a marvelous time prepping the "Money Tree" with 40 individual $1 bills. Hee hee hee!  I think Dan had a pleasant birthday, and I'm sure he appreciated the lack of "Over the Hill" propaganda.

Someone turned 6!

 Rylee had her birthday.  I know, I'm way behind.  Rylee had high hopes that I would let her skip school that day, because it was her birthday.  She told me her teacher said it was okay.  I asked the teacher and the teacher said it was up to Rylee's mom if Rylee got to miss school.  Um, Rylee's mom said no.

With 3 birthdays in the same month and Rylee and Dan's so close together, I try to do vastly different cakes so we don't get over-caked.  I went with an angel food cake with strawberry whipped cream topping.  It was not popular with the kids.  That worked well for me!  (burp)

Despite being disappointed with her cake, Rylee was delighted with her presents. Her sisters were delighted as well, and loved helping her unwrap.  It was a successful birthday and my baby is growing up!

What? Kintai Again?!

I got to go to a baby shower that was held at Kintai and thought I might see if I could improve on photos I have already taken of the area.  I don't think I did.  But I got some nice ones!

Birthday Sushi

 Joshua had a birthday last week.  It was a very hectic day, so I can't say I was too disappointed when he asked to go out to sushi for his birthday dinner.  I had been assured that there was plenty of variety and one did not need to like seafood or sushi to enjoy it.

We went to the Sushi-Go-Round, where you sit at your table on the perimeter of a conveyor belt of little plates.  The plates go round and round and you grab what looks good.  You can also make special requests, ordering from the menu.  On the conveyor belt, each plate has a different color edge and that denotes the price.  So all yellow plates might be 129 yen (around $1.15) and the black ones were a lot more, something like 540 yen ( around $5).

Joshua had a great time and very much enjoyed it. Marian tried some new things and hearing her recount trying to choke down the large bite of fish that had tasted good in small quantities but not in large, was a hoot.  I was impressed she tried new things.  Delaney was not very adventurous, but had a good time.  I did not see much of anything I would eat.  The kids promised me one dish was full of chicken, but alas, it was fish.  I did find some delicious squash sushi and it was sufficient.  Joshua tried lots of things and was pleased with his experience.  Callie did not go because she did not feel well, and Rylee kept her company. Dan was out of town in Tokyo and missed all the fun.

My favorite pick on the night.  Squash tempura on rice.  Yummy!

Marian and her raw fish sushi.  Yummy by the nibble, but not by the mouthful. 

We did special order the udon noodles, and Delaney tried a fried rice ball.

Deep fried rice balls with fish eggs.  Too fishy flavored for me, but Joshua and Delaney loved them. 

Check out this dish!  We did NOT try it. 

We did have dessert.  The kids loved the triangular shaped cones. 

And the ice cream came in this awesome cone stand.  Apparently it was delicious as well. 

But Marian and I had opted for cake.  It was decent. 

After we got home the birthday boy  enjoyed his loot-fest.

Ryle wanted a photo too, 

He was pleased with his awesome new water bottle. 

And then we all had birthday cake- lemon cake.

Kindergartener

 After 14 years, I finally have all my children in school!  It is glorious!  Well, mostly.

Kindergarten starts a week after the other grades, so I had Rylee all by herself for a week before she got to go.  It was enough to make me very happy to kiss her goodbye.  When it is just the 2 of us, she expects me to entertain her and it is a bit exhausting.  It was with great rejoicing and not a single tear that I walked her off on Tuesday Sept 8, for her very first day.

 My big girl, all ready for her first day.

I love this sweet photo. Delaney was very solicitous and worried about Rylee .

Rylee and her best friend Milly.  They were so happy to be in the same class. 

Rylee was excited right up till they lined up to go into class. Then she was a little uncertain.  But she trotted right off and had a fabulous day.