sweet sweet sweet

Only out-of-towners (and people with wetsuits) go to the beach on a cold, windy day– especially Black Friday. But we HAD to; Stefan won’t see the beach for at least two and a half years. And the kids don’t mind. Mostly they dig, with short dips in the chilly waves.

Lizzy the local, bundles up.

The little boys enjoy directing the teenagers. “Dig this hole.” “Fill my bucket.”

After the beach, Ruth, Zoey and I shopped for Hansie’s not-really-a-surprise-party. I was especially moved by Zoey who pitched in $20 for cupcakes– two weeks of her piano tutoring pay.

We arrived home to this:

Everyone looks happy, right? That’s what matters. Ruth has an amazing ability to throw party after party without getting stressed. She took one look at the mess and said, “No worries. We have a whole hour before the party.” You see why I want to be like her when I grow up?

Everyone pitched in: creating a birthday banner,

stacking cupcakes,

cleaning the library, 

writing on the mirror (how cute is Zoey?),

arranging table decor

and drawing dragons on the table.

Wait? How does that fit in?

We even had time to take a few photographs of Zoey with lipstick. Ooh la la!

 the boys taking a break before the crowds arrived.

As you may have noticed, the party revolved around everything sweet. After a very healthy bean soup and salad dinner, we played candy gamble, cookie-on-your-forehead, marshmallow spoon races and our grand new invention…

pin-the-kiss-on-the-Hansie.

the Captain America trend grows– and two party goers bought shirts the next day 

 

thank you, thank you, my darling sister for a fabulous party and a dreamy visit. I think I just may have enough photos for another little book. 😉