Celebrating Jacob Turning 11 One Week Early

I woke in the middle of the night with a pounding headache. I worried that it would transfer into an all day hangover. It was close to 730a when I popped out of bed and took three Advil. I went right back to bed until my headache was gone. I woke headache free around 830a and headed downstairs. Mindy didn’t budge. My headache was gone but my shoulders were really stiff. After starting some coffee I completed sit-ups. I decided to skip push-ups again this Saturday giving myself a two day hiatus. Headed out with Frankie next. I was hoping for better weather, but the morning wasn’t much different than many of the past few days – cloudy and cool. After walking Frankie I published a weeks worth of blog postings while enjoying coffee. Mindy and the kids were up between 930-10a. Jacob was psyched for his 3p birthday party. They weren’t up long before I left on a run. It was 50 degrees and cloudy. Ugh! Forecast, meanwhile, was still calling for low 70s. I ran three miles without any problem. Felt good. Mindy was already busy decorating for Jacob’s party upon my return. Everything under control inside, Mindy suggested I put the new patio cushions out. I wiped the table and chairs clean first then tied the new cushions to the chair frames. And now that brunt of winter was past, I got the underground hose feed up and running and then refilled the hot tub. It’s official, I managed to keep the hot tub alive all winter. Honestly, didn’t think it would make it. I was eager to get a jump on more yard chores, especially given that our Sunday was booked solid with events too. I fetched my chain saw and systematically began to dismantle the wild mulberry tree on the west side of the house along the creek. It’s getting too big too fast. At first I thought I might just lop off its top but ended up pretty much taking it completely down. And just like I’ve experienced other times, it’s always looks two to three times bigger on the ground. Couldn’t believe how much wood was there. Jacob came out and gave me a hand. That helped a lot. The sun came out on and off, and it remained somewhat cool. Given my toil, I was glad. Mindy ran off to Target for something. For what, I can’t readily recall. Starving, I asked that she pick me up a double cheese burger from Burger King. She willingly agreed. Jacob and I drug the tree choppings back to the tree house area. Once there, we sawed it up further into stackable units using the chainsaw and giant loppers. By then I was officially exhausted. I cleaned and put away my tools then headed inside. By then, Mindy was back with my burger. I couldn’t wait to eat. The first couple bites went down hard. Not sure why. I chewed it really well. Hurt even. It was 130p. After finishing my burger I headed up for a much needed shower. Bella pointed out that I had saw dust all over my face.  Downstairs around 2p, I helped Mindy put the finishing touches on Jacob’s party, now only one hour out. I really wanted a nap. Gloria showed up early at 230p. Mindy predicted she would. She’s always early and willing to help. As luck would have it, it started to rain (sprinkle) shortly after Gloria arrived. Always rains at Jacob’s b-day party. It didn’t rain for long though, but enough to wet the yard, deck and patio furniture. Kenny put up their jump house earlier in the day for the kids to use. That was awfully nice. Jacob’s friends started arriving around 3p as did all of Mindy’s family. We invited my dad but he never showed. Kaileigh showed up around 330-4p. She was spending the night. Soon we had a house full. It’s worth mentioning that Jimaken and his parents (Tom & Candy) showed too. Always do. Mindy called Poppa John’s and ordered 8 pizzas around 11a but scheduled the delivery for 315p. That made party food much easier, though she still laid out a mini spread complete with veggies, cheese, chips, dip, and salsa. When given a choice of b-day cakes, Jacob opted for brownies in lieu of a formal b-day cake. It must’ve been around 4p when we headed out back to do the piñata – a paper mache football stuffed full of candy and small trinkets. Jacob went first, but after that it was smallest to largest. Blindfolded, they each got a whack at the piñata with a foam covered bat. Can’t recall who took it down. If memory serves, only five or six kids got a whack at it. A mad scramble for its contents ensued. Inside for cake (brownies) and gifts. The brownies were a big hit. Way better than cake. Gift-wise, Jacob cleaned up. Lots of gift cards and cash. Got some clothes too. His uncle Todd got him the coolest toy – an electronic flying duck and pistol – safe inside and out. That kept the kids, as well as some of the adults, busy for a while. The party began to wind down at 5p. Most of Jacob’s friends headed home, though Josh and Noah were staying. Most of the family members cut out too. Gloria & Joe stuck around. Gloria must've departed near 530p. Chrissy and nephew Joe hung out through the mid evening hours. And don’t you know, once the masses departed the sun came out and the evening got really pretty. The kids played out back while the adults sat around the patio table. I didn’t crack a beer until just before 7p. Mindy commented more than once that she couldn’t believe that I didn’t peel away for a nap. It got so nice that the kids ended up having a water balloon fight that turned wild in a hurry. Soon the hose was out and water was everywhere. Had to nix it. Joe headed home around 8-830p. Chrissy headed home too, though figured to be back down in a while with Kenny. Mindy and I got busy cleaning up after the party. Our downstairs was pretty much a disaster, though we had it looking good in about an hour. Mindy did most of it. I walked down to Chrissy and Kenny’s to say hello to her cousin Craig Schlagel, who we haven’t seen in two years or more. Mindy came down for a few minutes too. We headed back home around 9p. Kenny and Chrissy came down to eat some pizza a few minutes later. By then, Mindy had the all the kids showered and settled, most of them watching TV upstairs. Kenny & Chrissy headed home just before 10p. I quickly got cozy on the sofa. We were expecting Noah’s mom, Dena around 10p. Josh was the only boy spending the night. Kaileigh and Makayla were sleeping over with Bella. Mindy woke me around 1030p for bed. I bet that I was out in less than 5 minutes..