Ethan and Ehlana:
Happy 42nd Birthday, Nathan Draper!
Before we get into that and other news of the day, you’ll notice that our names have been switched again for these dual updates; and that’s entirely because Ehlana advised me that it is my turn to actually do the writing of our journals for a while. If I take an equal turn; I’ll be taking over these duties for quite a while to make up for all of the time she’s been doing it so far since we started these two-in-one reports.
Since Aiden’s father had a kid-free night last night, we didn’t start out our day with any birthday fun, but then he was at the bakery at normal time anyway; and we wouldn’t have been able to offer a birthday breakfast. the weather was nice this morning, though, so Tai Chi by the river was nice; we had a pancakes and bacon breakfast; and then Mom and Dad had us get started on our chores while Naomi and Aiden headed home or to the bakery to be with their own families until lunchtime. The outdoor chores kept us busy most of the time, but we were also able to be done earlier than usual on a Saturday because we were booked for a birthday lunch with Aiden’s father – a meal that we were joining Aiden and Naomi to give to his father.
Naomi and Aiden met up with us either on the way or once we got to the pizzeria; we picked up our lunch order; and then headed over to the bakery to share that surprise with Aiden’s father. His Mom and sister were there to have lunch with us – and we had that little party there so that Hannah could join in on the fun while taking a break from the very busy work in the store without losing the extra time to go home and come back again. We had some gifts for Nathan too; and it’s a bit funny to do birthday desserts with the man who usually ends up baking his own birthday cakes or other treats. In this case; it was a cream-filled birthday cupcake confection with only one candle for the wish while the rest of us opted for various dessert choices that were ‘off-the-shelf’ choices from the store.
Nathan had the afternoon off after our lunch, but before we headed out to play; Hannah had us pick up another pizza order so that she could feed the rest of the staff too. We did that pick-up and delivery; collected Leah and our bikes; and then Nathan joined us for some biking and park play time for an hour or so – until he then chose to go home and deal with some work around the house that he usually saved up to do during the week while the bakery was slower and his kids were at school. Hailey and Leah moved on to hang out with some of their own friends then too; so we did the same – though we didn’t have many of our friends out and playing at the park today.
We couldn’t play all afternoon because Hannah is throwing a birthday dinner and party for her husband; and we’re now home and getting the lounge and some guest bedrooms ready for the babysitting and sleepover night that Mom and Dad are hosting tonight for most of our cousins and the usual gang of friends and younger siblings. Naomi and Aiden are busy re-packing overnight bags and they’ll be back with Hailey and Eli too; so we don’t have a lot of time for this early update.
That’s why we’ll wrap it up with that; and cover the rest of our best news of the day with our Sunday night report. Depending on how Zack, Eli, and some of the other guys decide to act tonight while the parents are away, that could be awesome, scary, or both, but that is all we have for now; so, until next time...
...this is Ethan and Ehlana Proctor; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
