Birthday – Page 9 – M. Sullivan Photography

June 12, 2012June 12, 2012 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Photos

A STRIKE-ing Success

Sophia celebrated her 8th birthday early with a “friends” party on Sunday. The party was held at a local bowling alley. They bowled, ate pizza & cupcakes and played in the game room.

Her friends autographed a retired bowling pin for her to take home.

They played cosmic bowling with the music up high and the lights down low. Not great for pictures, but lots of fun.

The bowling scores were not that of league material, but no one cared including the birthday girl who had a 59.

Earlier in the day we baked bowling pin shaped sugar cookies. We frosted them with white chocolate and added red licorice to finish them off. We also made a few bowling balls frosted with semi-sweet chocolate and added Life Savers for finger holes.

They posed for one more goofy photo after Sophia finished opening her gifts.

The kids had a great time. Mike and I enjoyed watching the fun. The best part of the day was packing up and leaving the mess behind. Well, maybe not the best part, but you could say it was the “icing on the cake”.

March 21, 2012 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Photos

Eighty-Three

I can’t believe my Dad turned 83 this past Friday. He has lived through the depression, World War II and served in the Korean war. He has farmed his entire life. He sold his last cow when he was 79, but still lives on the farm he and my Mom bought in 1954. He was 42 when I was born and was the oldest parent of any of the kids in my class during my school years. He is the oldest person Sebastian and Sophia know. And he has stories for every one of those 83 years.

My Dad has slowed a bit recently, but still enjoys every minute of when his grandkids visit. He loves watching videos of his great-grandson, Ari, giggling. He talks about the stock market and politics with passion. He eats sweets and doesn’t care if he has more than his share. He’s 83, why not live a little?

We had a nice visit with my parents to celebrate my Dad’s birthday on Friday. We ate sundaes with chocolate fudge, caramel and strawberry toppings – Sophia added sprinkles and whipped cream to hers. We sat outside and talked in the warm sun. We took a few pictures to remember the day. I think we should plan to do it again next year.

October 20, 2011 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Photos

One More Thing

After a week filled with plumbing issues, a veterinary visit for a suspicious-looking growth, a dead land line and a call to my cell from the school to retrieve a sick child, I realized it’s only Thursday. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I hope it’s not one more thing to problem solve, fix or figure out. You will probably find me at home tomorrow with Sophia who still has a fever and a stomach ache, a dog who still has a lump on her head, but is scheduled for a minor surgery on Tuesday and a phone line that is still dead but repair has been scheduled and will be completed by 4:30pm, or so they say. The plumbing issues were fixed by Mike last night after a trip to Menard’s and a receipt for $23 – much cheaper than calling a plumber.

I spent the last hour editing photos after everyone was in bed and came across these pictures from Sebastian’s birthday. We spent the afternoon at Chester Bowl in the beautiful fall weather. As we were headed out to hike up the big ski hill, the kids went up ahead and crossed the bridge/footpath over the pond.

These photos remind me that we will have simpler, easier days ahead. All of these small things may feel like one big burden, but they really are just small bumps in the road. Here’s to a much better Friday and a weekend filled with rejuvenation.