Birthdays and Chocolate

The title pretty much spells out the most exciting things about the last couple of weeks. A week ago I was honored to be invited to my aunt Laurie's chocolate dipping party. She makes these amazing chocolates every year at this time, and we always partake liberally of them. This year she asked if I wanted to come help make them. She made all the centers previous to us coming. I helped shape the centers and then cover them in chocolate. I must say, I was horrible. It is so much harder then it looks. My aunt and cousin were able to do about 3 in the time it took me to cover 1. My hands were completely caked with chocolate, as was the bottom of my shirt. But it was all worth it as we were able to take a plate of delicious chocolates home. I also helped shape and wrap the carmels, which I was actually pretty good at. Doesn't that marble slab full of chocolate look scrumptious. I had to try really hard to remember to not lick my fingers. These are some chocolates that Laurie dipped, mine were much more gloppy.

The most important thing that we did this last week was to celebrate Cole's birthday. Cole turned 9 on the 11th. We just had a family birthday this year. A special birthday dinner, picked out by him (I was so greatful when he chose grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, what a great son!), and then cake and presents. I of course am a very cruel mom and wrapped all his presents while he was at school and then layed them on the table. He found it such a hard thing to wait until after dinner to open his presents. On Thursday Nate and I took him out to his favorite restaurant (Chuck-a-Rama, an all you can eat buffet. It's the only way this child gets full, and yes, I know, the name is horrible). We then went to see "Into the Woods" at the Hale Center Theater. It was a great show, the princes were hilarious, their rendition of "Agony" was probably the best I've seen it done. Sadly the second half was still horrible and once again I wished that I just would have left at intermission. I just have to say how much we love this little man. He is exasperating at times, but has gotten to an age where he is fun to hang out with. He is very kind and always tries his best to be good, somedays are harder then others, be he always tries. He is extremely friendly and personable and has a great sense of humor. We love you buddy!

Yesterday was the Pine Wood Derby for the cub scouts. This was Cole's 1st year that he was able to participate. He and Nate worked on his car, actually Cole pretty much built his car. He drew on the design, did some of the sawing, and then did the paint job. He actually did quite well. Getting 1st or 2nd on the majority of his races. I took a couple of pictures, but I didn't get any good ones because, as Nate is the new CubMaster, I had to wrestle with Izzy, who decided that everytime I picked up the camera was a good time to be held.

The orange car is his, I think he got first place in this race.

I think that is about all the news from the Brown house this week. Until next...