7 February 2010 Nick Turns 6 - and here we go again!

Packing, printing, organizing lasted until 3 AM Sunday morning. After a short and restless time in bed and a birthday breakfast of pancakes and sausages corn-dog-style we worshipped with our church family and participated in Sunday School and Bible class one last time as a foursome. Our Bible study friends stood (Ukrainian-style) for a very welcome prayer to send us on our way.

We stopped at our north-side Walgreens for a few photo reprints before changing clothes and loading the last few things (perishable refrigerator times and a big bouquet of balloons). Then it was down to the south-side Walgreens for many more photos and a round of hot chocolate and mochas at Starbucks. The boys began the first of many “how many minutes till we get there” queries for the day early. Fortunately the first stop was only an hour away in Beaver Dam at John’s parents’ home. We had a birthday lunch for Nick with all of the grandparents including Superman cake left over from his party with 15 friends at the Oshkosh Gymnastics Center on Saturday. Sandy settled in with his litter box, food, water dish and the shallow cardboard box he had claimed while we were cleaning up the day before. A family group prayer and lots more hugs started the next leg of the trip.

Nick managed to nap for an hour in the van after lunch. Dennis, who regularly proves he simply doesn’t need as much sleep, managed to stay quiet during that time. John taught Nick to figure out “what number comes before . . .” using the mile markers for most of the rest of the trip to Milan, Illinois where Nick and Dennis will stay with Jean’s sister and family while we are gone.

Just enough time to squeeze in a Super bowl party and another round of cake (this one with a rainbow, frogs and snakes per Nick‘s specific request), ice cream and the singing of the Happy Birthday song before getting ready for bed. Twelve-year-old cousin Katie is graciously hosting the month-long slumber party in her room. Hope lots of slumbering does occur . . .