Alma Mater: Tert's Birthday By: Stella

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tert's Birthday By: Stella

Hi all!!
I wanted to share with you some pictures and anecdotes from Tert's birthday.

We all awoke with many happy birthdays to overwhelmed Tert. He would look down and make this serious, downcast face whenever we wished him a happy birthday, or said something about his birthday, (unless it was about presents, that is!) We had donuts for breakfast and then hurried to prepare for Co-Op. (Everyone always hurries on Monday morning around here!). The donuts were hastily eaten, and dishes wiped. Chores were done, and we hurried out the door. We picked up Grandma Z., who had her arms full of balloons, and bags. (She was going to teach the preschool class for Tert.) She put her bags in the trunk, and we went off. We arrived at Co-Op early so that Grandma would have time to set up. We were a little too early; the doors weren't unlocked. We waited in the car for a couple of minutes until the cars started filing in. Then, we got out of the car with our backpacks and bundles and headed upstairs. Grandma took out her things, while Leo and I went to class. She taught a class, made specially for Tert's birthday. (In the preschool class they go through all of the letters of the alphabet.) Grandma got the letter U. So, she made a class-Happy Birthday to 'U'! It was very cute and fun with cake, presents to open for the letter 'U' (who was incapable of opening presents). Tert enjoyed it tremendously and was eager to show Dad his 'U' present that he got to bring home, a picture of Uncle Adam.
After we had classes and dropped Grandma off, we headed home. We unpacked our various bundles and then had lunch-banana(YUMMY!) muffins, with some milk and nuts. We finished the yummy lunch, and after a little bit of play, the boys went for naps. Leo and I went on a walk with Cora, and then came home to play a game of trivia with Mom and then watch Latin. After that we hastily got ready for a fun afternoon-evening plan with our friends-the Woods.
We drove over there and were greeted by sap boiling smokily in pans. We went into the house, and saw the new baby chicks, which Leo went off to help take care of. After watching the little ones for a bit, I went off with Mrs. Wood and Mom. We walked along the maple tree run, and looked for the sap. To their surprise (and not to mention relief) the trees were budding, which meant maple syrup season was over. After looking at some neighbors' horses, we headed back. Armed with sleds, buckets, and hammers, we kids went into the woods to pull the taps and buckets off of the trees. After finishing that, we scattered and played until, after what seemed a VERY short time, were called back to the house. We were saddened by the news that we had to leave, but sweetened by some freshly made maple candy. It was still warm; it was so fresh. It was the best that I have ever tasted. The Woods gave us a generous, GENEROUS surprise when Mrs. Wood handed us a jar of their syrup. Having made 5 gallons of maple syrup, out of 250 gallons of sap, (which meant trudging through knee deep snow sometimes 2 times a day, and careful boiling and stirring of the sap,) this truly was a labor and gift of love. We can't wait to try out this delicious treat, and MANY thanks to the devoted Wood family.
To return... After saying goodbye, we all went home, and got into pj's. We were tired and ready for supper. Soon Mom had plates of pizza ready. When a pizza had disappeared, we all cleared the table. I helped Mom get the dessert ready-brownies, chocolate sauce, and mud-pie ice cream! MMM! It was very good. Our appetites fully satisfied, we sat down and handed Tert present after present. He loved them all, and it was very sweet to watch his enthusiasm. He said that it was, "The Best Birthday he had EVER Had." I think that that is a better conclusion that I might think of, so I will end here. Well, after some pictures of course!!

I (Stella) crocheted a little frog for one of my birthday presents for Tert. He at first was a little nervous about it, but then grew to like it... :D