Birthday Week...

Last Sunday was Daniel's birthday.  Then, on Wednesday, my dad turned 79!  Here's a picture of Daniel helping Papa open his presents...

 Oops.  Try again...

I've always been a "Daddy's Girl" and my dad has always been my superhero but as I've gotten older I've started to realize what I put the man through just because he had a soft spot for his little girl.  Did I mention that he took me and a friend all the way to Chapel Hill to see the Monkees in concert?  Yes, the Monkees.  Not only did he drive us all the way there, we sat 2nd row from the very top in the Dean Dome.  That is love.  

I grew up going to watch my dad play in tennis matches and softball tournaments.  I realize now that he could've left me at home, but he didn't.  Some of my favorite memories are of all of the NBA & college basketball games we attended together.  My dad instilled a love of sports in me.  It's a good thing that I'm a sports fan because my brother was too busy reading books and watching science fiction shows.  

Friday was Rana's birthday (Birthday #3).  I watched the kids while Kevin and Rana enjoyed a quiet dinner at Olive Garden.  

Saturday brought the Mitey Riders Spring Festival.  Mitey Riders is the horse therapy program that Laura attends.  We know that she was excited because she was getting very impatient just before time to leave. She kept saying "Horse?"  That in itself is a blessing.  We couldn't have asked for a better day; the weather was perfect.  Full sunshine is not a friend to the cameraman.  I tried to lighten the photos a little so you can see them better.  

Laura rode Cosmo.  I don't think she stopped smiling from the moment she mounted until she got home. 

The man standing beside Laura introduced her to her volunteer sidewalker.  He thought it was funny when he said "Say hi Laura" and Laura said, "Hi Laura".  She wasn't trying to be funny.....that is what she always does...repeats what you ask her to say. 

This picture was taken after she received her gold medal for the year.  Here she is checking it out: 

Proud dad Kevin  (Rana was at work):

Here's my dad, Laura & Daniel...

Proud Nana (my mom)...

 Since they were running 45 minutes behind schedule, I was in charge of entertaining this one...

He had a great time at the festival.  When we returned home it was a different story.  Daniel learned that even though your helium "Cars" balloon is not floating inside the house, when you take it outside, the wind can pick it up and carry it far away....

Oh the tears...

I am happy to say that Sunday was a day of rest for Julie.  Well, compared to keeping up with the kids.  I don't know how my mother does it day in and day out.