Kevin's 45th Birthday, part 2

We had a low key second celebration of Kevin's birthday while at Lake Anna. Alex and Steph set up a birthday sign for him on the front yard and the older girls baked him an oreo cake. There were candles and a round of happy birthday (and then we got back to the gaming):

We had to improvise a bit on the candles

Birthday Posters

These arrived right before we left for the lake and we were able to hang them (replacing the printed copy that has been on Benji's door since April):

Early 45th Birthday Celebration

We decided to celebrate Kevin's birthday early this year (before we left for Lake Anna) because (1) it was not possible to get a Ben and Jerry's cake at the Lake; and (2) he was being gifted a game that we woudl want to play with Alex an Steph. He requested dinner from Vivace and then. of course, cake:

While I was setting the table, Abby thought it would be funny to change her banner

Post Office 2020

He still really likes to play post office, but not it includes computer programming:

Abby's Sweet Sixteen

We decided to decorate the dining room this year instead of her bedroom (largely because she goes to sleep later than us now);

We ordered delivery lunch from Panera on Sunday so that we could also procure the requisite birthday muffin:

Birthday bear (and presents) were waiting downstairs:

Lego sets from Grandpa Steve

Benji's present was a slide presentation:

We ordered a super cool cake from a local baker as the centerpiece for a dessert bar to celebrate "sweet" sixteen. It took us 3 days to eat all the dessert:

Sixteen candles is a lot!

Smith Mountain Lake

Last week, we rented a cottage at Smith Mountain Lake for 4 days. We were not sure what to expect (the listing said it was "rustic" but had a nice dock, but were pleasantly surprised. The house itself was fine (adequate but nothing special), but the setting was ideal and we had a wonderful time.

First night, we blew up our floats, swam off the dock and tried out the paddleboards:

First thing, a flock of geese swam by. On the second day, an otter swam right by us.

On Tuesday night, Abby and I started a jigsaw puzzle, which Benji and I then finished Wednesday morning. We enjoyed a relaxed day (with time spent lazing in the hammock and floating on the lake and a short canoe trip) followed by a campfire at sunset:

On Thursday, we hiked the state park in the morning (but I somehow took no pictures), relaxed inside with games during the heat of the day and spent more time at the lake in the afternoon and evening. I took the sit-on canoe out for a short trip at sunset while the boys lazed on the dock:

On Friday, we finally pulled out the umbrella to shade the dock and it was a great addition, allowing us to enjoy a picnic lunch. The boys joined for another sunset canoe trip (they took a paddleboard), while Abby took pictures from the dock. It had been drizzling lightly on and off all day and we caught a beautiful rainbow. We ended the night (and our trip) swimming after dark so we could see the stars (and, as it turned out, lightning, so it was a short-ish night swim):

Tailgate Shabbat

To celebrate Rabbi Rachel's departure, CBI hosted a tailgate shabbat at Covenant Church. The rabbi's led the service from the balcony, and it was broadcast to a radio station as well. They even provided each car with a "shabbat bag" with challah, juice and wine for kiddish. It was a fun night out of the house:

Chandler's Ice Cream Stand

One of Abby's friends mentioned this "New England Style" ice cream stand in the tractor supply lot and we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed -- it was just a tiny walk-up stand (Wally's-like) and the soft serve was very good:

Escape Room in a Box

Both kids got one in their summer boxes. Abby wanted to use hers last Saturday and we had fun time searching for a sunken treasure. Benji requested that we use the game app on our phone to keep the time: