Jimmy Carter Turns 100 Today!

 

Today Jimmy Carter became the first US President to become a centenarian, celebrating his 100th birthday - despite spending the last 19 months in hospice. Once again, Carter defied the odds.  

Sto Lot indeed!

Whatever your opinions on his Presidency, whatever your opinion on his politics and his opinions, put it aside. Today is a day to celebrate a life long, and well, lived. 

Happy Birthday Mr. President! 

Junie's Big Birthday Surprise

While Junie was gone at her birthday party, Lulu replaced her twin bed and trundle with a new full sized set. 

Like I said it was LuLu's project. Smiley contributed with some help picking up the mattress, which was donated by YaYa, I played a big role in finagling the box spring up the narrow stairs, and my sister came to help with the setup. Still, 97% LuLu's effort 

                                                                          She loved it!!!

                                                   

Junie's 17th Birthday Party

As her 17th birthday dawned back on August 7th we had Junie read our card and open our gift, a pair of Taylor Swift pajamas. 

And that was about it for her birthday celebration . . . 

Ha. 

I couldn't get off work, but between Lisa and Junie, and two of our cars, a whole bunch of Junie's friends headed up to Green Bay to celebrate her birthday at a Air BnB we rented. Aside from Lisa, no other family member could get out of work for those two days, a fact that dissapointed Junie. I'm not kidding. She's perhaps the only teenager on record who actually WANTED family at her birthday party. 

First tho they stopped at Bay Beach, an amusement park in Green Bay where Junie celebrated a birthday many moons ago. 

Then it was on to the AirBnb, which had room to sleep the whole group with plenty of space to spare, a hot tub, and a view of the lake. It was pretty reasonably priced too, and well worth every penny!

I ordered the cake from a local supermarket well in advance, but when Junie arrived they'd lost the order, so she had to buy one off the shelf, which SUCKS. Lisa then added the custom made edible image topper that I designed and ordered off Amazon. It included her beloved Finn Wolfhard once again, but also the first official use of her monogram!

                                 

I joined in from Milwaukee over a video call to sing happy birthday and do the Polish blessing. 

The next day, after checkout, they returned to Bay Beach, only arriving back in Milwaukee early in the evening. 

(Lisa's friend Jolene joined the party with her grandaughter)

From all accounts, she and her friends had a blast. I'm genuinely sad I couldn't clear my calendar and join them, but I'm super happy she was pleased. 

Sto lot my Junie!

 

Happy 19th Birthday Smiley!

Happy Birthday Smiley! I love you more than words can say. I hope you have a great day!!❤️

- Lisa

Junie's 16th Birthday pt 2

After breakfast on Day 2,  everyone on the trip went down to the pool to swim . Unfortunately , the handicapped lift aiding Grandma in getting out of the pool broke,  leaving her stranded in the water . After both staff and the boys failed to get her out , Hotel staff called 911 . 

She was okay and gave all the firefighters hugs and a kiss.

Then the group checked out and went to explore the Mall of America. Lisa and her mom went one way, the kids the other. Junie and the Core Four went to the amusement park inside the mall, to Popeye's for dinner, to Barnes and Noble and countless other stores, and to a mirror maze. 

They were there until 9:00 p.m.

At Build-A-Bear, Lauren and the Core Four chipped in together to buy a sloth, each of them adding a heart to the animal and then naming it with a combination of their own names.

Then it was on to our house, where they arrived around 3:30 in the morning. The last of the guests left in mid-afternoon. By all accounts it was a great birthday. To quote a very happy Junie, "I didn't cry!"  (a first for her birthdays!)