Birthday Alert!

 This son of ours is turning 9 in 2 days!!  Seeing as how it's nearly impossible to get a non-goofy smile out of him for a photo op, thought I'd just go with this one.  It captures his personality, his delight in the little things of life, and the weather conditions surrounding his big day this year. 

Our original plans involved visiting a raptor rehab center in the southern part of the state.  Unfortunately, due to the extreme weather we've been having, the kind volunteers there let us know they wouldn't be able accommodate us right now.  It seems they have moved all 20 birds (hawks, owls, eagles) into someone's living room due to the cold. 

Can you even imagine?  I don't really want to.

Anyway,  they encouraged us to try again, so we'll be heading there in June. 

So, instead, we're loading up Grandma and Pada, all of us and a cousin and heading east to Columbus, OH.  Some of our very best friends in the world live there.  Plus, there's a really cool science center, zoo, and all kinds of other fun stuff.  Like a hotel pool.  What else do you need, really?  Did I mention the hotel has a happy hour?  Good for the parents. 

Have a happy and safe weekend, everyone, and please say a birthday prayer for Mr. Kid118, our bookworm, science guy, martial artist, soft-hearted middle child.