Shecklet #1 is heading to the lake to help with some wiring tomorrow, so we decided to do a “take 1” on his golden birthday. (Most of his presents were related to the electrical work.)
He requested pizza for dinner and an ice cream cake for dessert. (He wrote 15 as Roman numerals 😂. And yes, the cake slid from its base, so it’s a tad rough. But still delicious!)
Happy (almost) birthday to my oldest Shecklet! We’ll celebrate again in a couple of weeks!
Back when when they were born 22 months apart, it was hard to imagine my boys would one day both be teenagers.
And yet, today is the day the second Shecklet makes that a reality for me.
Shecklet #2 had a very specific list of things he wanted for his birthday dinner: homemade mac-n-cheese, jellied cranberries, Lay’s BBQ chips, garlic knots, and San Pellegrino Blood Orange sparkling water. (He shared this list with us via a Google Keep note that he started weeks ago. 😆)
And for dessert, he requested a strawberry rhubarb pie. This flavor isn’t easy to find in March, but I found a local baker, Heather’s Pies, who makes them fresh and picked it up this afternoon while it was still warm. Heather did not disappoint – it was delicious!
Even though he was part of the new ski gear selection, he didn’t know the items had arrived last weekend. So we were able to surprise him a little bit. The 8 cans of jellied cranberries were also appreciated.
This kid has been a source of wit, humor, and love from day one. I can’t wait to see what the coming year has in store for him.
You’re becoming an amazing young man, Shecklet #2! Bring on the teen years!
Love you so much! XOXO
The many faces of Shecklet #2 the throughout the past 13 years.
The Shecklets’ got a sewing craft as a part of their “share” gift for Christmas. They started making their donuts. Shecklet #4’s is completed, two are in progress, and one hasn’t been started yet.
The kids are learning how to backstitch, whip stitch, and stuff. It’s fun to see some of their creativity come out in their designs.
The Shecklets were up before the sun this morning and discovered the surprises in their stockings. After a breakfast of eggbake (Grandma Patti’s recipe,) muffins, and juice, we opened gifts as a family.
My Aunt Ann, surprised us with a box full of sundae toppings for Christmas! The kids were SO excited to see all of the options!
We didn’t have any ice cream in the house on Monday, so they had to wait a day to make their sugary creations. I think they would all tell you they were worth the wait.
The PTO at the kids’ school put together treat bags for all of the students prior to going on winter break. We really are grateful to be part of a school community who has worked so hard to keep the kids engaged and connected during the pandemic.
During the month of October, a local artist, Bernadette Gockowski, offered to paint watercolor cards with the name (or names) for mothers of a baby (or babies) who died before they were born. I received our name card during Advent, which was a beautiful gift.
Part of our nephew’s 2020 Christmas present is a stuffed gnome I made. (I saw one that a college friend made and thought I’d give making one a try.) Shecklet #2 helped by stuffing him. I think he ended up pretty cute!
This year’s St Nicolas Day gifts include the usually new ornaments and chocolate coins as well as window clings (since all of our Christmas ones had their last run in 2019.)
I also have two ornaments for Astrid – her “A” initial like her siblings as well as a little pink sled with 2020 that I will put her photo in. The kids also asked for their own photo ornaments to remember her by – I’m still trying to figure out what those will look like or be.
Shecklets 1-4 are getting cactus ornaments for 2020. Jake’s Aunt Nancy sent the kids mini cactus plants after Astrid died, so when I found these ornaments I thought they would be perfect way to remember the live gifts the kids received in memory of their little sister.
Shecklet #2 finally used a gift card from his birthday (from his aunt and uncle) to buy ski goggles. They arrived today. Now all he needs is snow. It’s December 1 and the ground is bare. 2020 continues to be the year that keeps on giving.
