Daddy's Birthday

Dear Abigail,

Last week was Daddy's birthday and we celebrated with style! His birthday was on Thursday, but we just hung out at the house because we had a lot going on that weekend. Friday was the usual Mexican, but the Grugett part of the group couldn't make it so it was just us Clark's. You were fine with that because Ellie was plenty company, and the 2 of you ran circles around outside, including finding a few cicadas and picking one too many flowers. Saturday morning, we headed out early to get to the zoo before it got too hot and were able to catch a few monkeys making lots of noise!! You were determined to see the elephants so we headed there first and of course you spotted the carousel. Daddy got to ride with you this time because Mommy was a little worried Kate wouldn't like going round and round in circles. We actually ended up seeing a lot of the zoo, which is a bit unusual for us, oh, and you totally thought you spotted Ellie! A zookeeper was showing/talking to us about a little owl and while we were listening to her presentation, you started saying "Ellie! Mommy, it's Ellie!" Sure enough, there was a pretty little red head coming our way, and I had to look twice because I even thought it was her!! But it wasn't... Mommy and Daddy almost took a picture to show Aunt Steph and Uncle Jaybee how much they looked alike, but then we felt it might be weird to take a picture of some random little girl... Anyway, after the zoo, we headed straight back to the house to eat some lunch and take a nap because we had a birthday party to go to!

Saturday afternoon, we met the gang at Uncle Jaybee's where he had decorated the entire house with fun birthday party things. Balloons were everywhere, and signs saying "Happy Birthday" and all kinds of stuff. BUT, the most fun thing was the water slide that he set up!!!! You kiddos loved it - no question about it! It provided lots of hours of entertainment, not to mention lots of energy burnt, a personal fave of the mommies ;)

Uncle Jaybee grilled some BIG burgers and hotdogs and we had all the fixins necessary, including watermelon!!!

After an abrupt stop in water play for reasons we will not mention, you kiddos all got in the tub for a much needed bath. Uncle Jaybee decided to be Uncle Jaybee and scared you by turning on the water jets. Just about when I got you calmed down enough to finish up with your bath, Miss Leigh accidentally turned the jets on again!!!! It was quite the scene and to say the least your bath time experience was over!!! You got your jammie jams on and impressed us all with proving you were back to your old ways with sleeping over (or it could have been the 3 hours of playing on the slide - either way, Mommy is not complaining!!). We all got to sleep in on Sunday and decided to head to the pool for a little bit and then Daddy had to start preparing dinner in his new fancy dutch oven (yes, we got your daddy a cooking device for his birthday. I guess that's what you do when you older...) Papa decided to stop by for a visit, and then you and Daddy and Papa took a quick visit to see Ellie while Mommy got a little break. Soon enough we were all enjoying a fancy chicken something or the other dish, all made in a dutch oven :)

I would say Daddy had a pretty good birthday weekend, and I think you enjoyed it yourself, too!!!!

Love you!!!