Did you 'ike your birthday?

When we were a full eight days into Ike-mania, we realized Simon's birthday was fast approaching and that we were unprepared (unless we wanted to give him his 72 hr kit full of slim jims, crackers and instant oatmeal). Bethany and I devised together to give him his birthday while still in Weedhaven. On his birthday three days later in Houston, there was still no prospect of gift-bearing stores being open, or a freezer to keep ice cream, much less functional traffic lights (which is not so important for birthday celebration, you might think, but I vowed to mention it somewhere here in all this post-storm posting!)

I am adorned in Bethany originals, which are delicious, and can be perused here. I know you were wondering, because they look so great in that picture.

Ever since his third b-day when we first moved here, I've always plopped some kind of actual joyous toy on top--a pretty delightful tradition that originated with a Lightning McQueen. Almost forgot this year, but luckily we had gotten him almost an excessive amount of small airplanes that I could embezzle from.

Now here's the sweet Nater, who has participated in some way in every one of Simon's birthdays. Glad it was in person this time--that's a rare gem friendship when you're 5.

Sweaty, half-dressed and bedraggled on the actual birthday in H-town.

Opening Allianna's present, to good results . . .

Happy Birthday to a reformed Chief Chubbamubbas!