Happy Birthday, Ross!

Last week we celebrated Ross' 6th birthday, which seems absolutely hard to believe.  I'm going to be honest here -- I am not a baby person.  I love other people's babies, but I am usually quite happy to hand them back and head home sans baby.   And I really did (and do) love my babies, however it has been a relief to me as they have outgrown that stage of life.  I know that isn't a popular mindset, but it is what it is and I'm not apologizing for it.  A room full of teenagers is far less intimidating to me than a room full of toddlers.  Anyway, what I was trying to get to saying is this:  I'd like to freeze things just the way they are right now.  The kids are independent enough that I feel like I can breath again, but they are still kids -- the boys still come barreling off the school bus with a huge smile and yell "mooooommmmmyyyyy" all the way the the front door.  Lucy is quite happy to be mommy's little helper.  And heavens, Hannah is getting too close to being grown up.  Really, where is the pause button?  

So, yeah, I'm a little sniffy over Ross' birthday.  How did he get so big?

Here are a few of his birthday shots.  I am, as usual, digging the black and white. 

Of course, he had to throw a few silly pictures in, too.

To my disappointment, Ross requested angel food cake with strawberries (which is Jeremy's usual birthday request).  Not that I don't like that combo, but I will be making it again this week for Jeremy and it doesn't leave any room for decorating.  I did talk him into letting me flavor it lemon, so that it wasn't exactly like Jeremy's.  I liked the change, but Jeremy gave it a thumbs down and told me to leave the angel food cake recipe alone.

I also found it very interesting that the kids got in a conversation that night about what they all wanted for their next birthday.  And, no, they weren't discussing gifts, but what they wanted for the meal.  (Ross requested steak this year, by the way).  I'm glad they enjoy my cooking, because I sure do enjoy the process and it makes it so much more fun to have appreciative customers!