Happy Birthday to me (well, on the 28th)

This is a big birthday for me.  This year I am eligible for AARP!!  That means I am turning 50.  This is by far the birthday that has rattled me the most and made me think about my life.  I loved my 40s--although I had some blips physically, all in all it was a good decade.  Of course the best part of it was having my boys grow up and mature despite having SMA which was supposed to take their lives by the time they were 2.  Well, poop on SMA.  They are 16 and 12 now!

Anyway, I thought I'd share my birthday hoopla with you all.  My mom and dad are on their way up from Florida to spend some time with all of us and, of course, celebrate their baby turning 50.  They should be here on Saturday--just in time to celebrate on Sunday.  We'll probably have baby back ribs some salads and brussel sprouts for dinner.  Chris had me pick out my flavors of ice-cream and extras for a big, yummy special ice-cream cake.  I think I picked pistachio and moose tracks ice-cream, brownie base and some mini Reece's peanut butter cups.  Can't wait.  Not sure if we'll have the O'Neills over on that day, but we will get everyone together at some point.

Drum roll...my SIL, Peggy (Gene's little sister)is very generous and has offered to take me away overnight for my birthday to an inn in Bennington, Vermont.  She is a planner and loves to explore and shop and discover new things.  So, I'm adding itinerary that Peggy created so you can see what adventures we have in store for the two of us!

"DAY ONE

On or around July 30ish around 7:45 am, Sue will enjoy a leisurely drive down to Manchester VT while sipping on delicious coffee and a having a car picnic of croissant and fruit.

Sue might enjoy some window shopping in the Outlet Malls http://www.manchesterdesigneroutlets.com/index.php followed by a light lunch at the Marsh Tavern http://www.equinoxresort.com/assets/uploads/marsh-lunch.pdf

An exursion to the Northshire Bookstore is necessary http://www.northshire.com/for Sue to get a book to read later in the day.

After that Sue will appreciate the scenic 30 minute drive down to Shraftsbury to visit the Robert Frost Museum http://www.frostfriends.org/and if she feels up to it, she will relish a refreshing walk around the Healing Springs Nature Trail http://www.vtstateparks.com/pdfs/shaftsbury_springs.pdf

Then Sue will be escorted to her suite at the Ice House located at the Four Chimneys Inn, http://www.fourchimneys.com/ to freshen up before her 2:30 p.m. dry pedicure and deluxe manicure appointment at the Green Mountain Oasis.

After her appointment she will have a relaxation period where she can read a book purchased earlier in the day and nibble on a light appetizer of cheese and crackers.

After resting and relaxing, she will enjoy dinner at the Publyk House http://www.thepublykhouse.com/publyk_menu.pdf

The day is not over! Sue will return to her room for wine and dessert. 

DAY TWO

After an amazing night's sleep, Sue will waken to a hearty breakfast at the Inn. She will then depart for window shopping at Bennington Pottery http://www.benningtonpotters.com/, the Antique Center at Camelot Villages, http://www.antiquesatcamelot.com/ etc. She would also like to spend some time ooing and ahhing at the pies at the Apple Barn and Country Bake Shop http://theapplebarn.com/

After a lovely morning, Sue will enjoy a lunch at the Madison Brewing Company

www.madisonbrewingco.com

Sue will spend the early afternoon visiting the 5 covered bridges of Bennington County

Then at 2 pm she will have a 60-minute massage in her room, followed by a long nap.

Dinner will be at Allegro Ristorante, for northern Italian – www.vermontfinedining.com

DAY THREE
After breakfast at the Inn, Sue will pack up her lovely things, say goodbye to the Innkeepers and then head out to the Bennington Museum http://www.benningtonmuseum.org/visitors-information.html

She will then head north and have a quick stop for lunch at an eatery - perhaps in Vergennes at the Black Sheep Bistro http://blacksheepbistrovt.com/

She will return home around 1-2, feeling refreshed and happy."

Who is jealous????

Happy 4th!

Phew!  It was a steamy one today!

The Milton Parade was fun this morning.  We all got baked but enjoyed it.  We were going to park at a friend's house but ended up parking at the grange hall.  We got there early enough that there were some spots left.  Wish we could have found some shade...I forgot the boys umbrellas :(

We enjoyed all the floats, sporty cars, firetrucks, military personnel,dancers, horses, etc.  Wish there had been more music and bands--what's up with that???  The boys got showered with goodies:  mini frisbee, flag fans, flags, bottles of water, glow sticks, and tons of candies!  We even got tossed a 'Greenies' dog bone for Jaxon!

The bit of a breeze and some clouds helped make it bearable but when those clouds went away it was HOT!  We were right near Randy's Lunchbox and they offered to move some tables for us so that we could use their umbrellas for the boys.  And, they very kindly offered some cool cloths but since we had the Frogg Toggs cooling cloths I asked them if they'd refresh them for us, so they did :)  Thank you, Randy's Lunchbox!

We chilled out (or tried to) this afternoon.  Casey got a shower and watched some football.  Colin played some computer with Nancy.  Moxie, Jaxon and I had a little nap in the AC, aahhhhhhh!!

Gene had Julia drive him up to Underhill to get his motorcycle.  I know he wanted it badly, but it wasn't the best afternoon to do so.  He got pummeled with rain.  He stopped at his parents for a while and when he went to leave, his bike wouldn't start.  Bummer, as it had been up at his friend's house and they did all sorts of stuff to it and replaced some parts and it still doesn't want to start when it's hot.  But, he made it home safely.

Now we're deciding whether or not to head to the fireworks tonight.  In a perfect world, we'd all go and have a great spot and have fun and not get stuck in traffic.  But in the real world, it could rain/thunder, we might not get a good spot, we might get eaten by mosquitoes, Casey could hate it, and we might be stuck in traffic for an extended period of time.  So, we're not sure.  Just heard that the fireworks were happening no matter what, so now we decide.

Casey said with his DynaVox, "I don't want to go tonight."  I asked him why and he said, "because sad."  Not sure what he meant but AC asked him if he was scared and he said he was scared of the noise which is historically correct for him.  I hate to make him but it is supposed to be the best fireworks ever in Milton.