James' Birthday

Can't believe it's already more then a week ago. Hi time to write the block. 

I felt sorry that it might not really be a very special celebration. Lately it was cold and rainy and this day was not going to be different. 

I wondered what the birthday-boy might want for breakfast? Ha-ha, baked beans on toast with sunny-side-up eggs on top. So very English! I was a bit proud of myself because for once they turned out perfect. 

For dinner we invited daughter Sarah and family to Lola's Farmhouse Bistro. It used to be the old Fox-Head Inn some time ago. It has old charm.

Sarah had asked the boys when getting ready to come to pick out a nice top. Colin picked a real dress-shirt  with collar AND brushed his hair without being asked. The boys are growing up.

Only two of the delicious dishes.

We all had also dessert but Papa's came with a candle. We sang of course. There were three tables in this room and the other guests joined in and sang with us. It was funny. 

Wade and Sarah shared one dessert which came with cotton candy. Look at Caleb's tongue.

Sarah posted this on FB later. Annd yes, the boys liked Henry the (outside) cat. 

 She also told me the next day that Wade had barely made it back to the car without exploding with laughter. The guests of 4 from one table had left before us. There was a couple on the other table. When we left I called over to them appologizing to them that we were a bit loud. But there was no smile and no reaction. I thought that was a bit rude. 

Here is the lesson! What I didn't know ... but Wade did because he sat with his back to the wall and could see them the whole evening ... they were signing the whole night. They didn't even know that we were "a bit loud". Yes, I had judged them. I am sorry.

But the day wasn't over. More excitement. 

It started harmlessly in the morning when James called to me from the sunroom "look, look, how cute". A mouse was on the outside of the glass sliding door looking in. When I tried to open the door to take a photo it ran away of course. It disappeared in a hole behind the little step from the door. I said "oh, oh, I hope it doesn't come in" but James didn't think it could. 

When James and I were back home after the birthday dinner and  sitting in the living room I saw something out of the corner of my eye running across in the sunroom. It looked almost just like a shadow. I got up to investigate but could not see anything. A little while later it happened again. Nothing. But then I saw it run along the wall under the living room windows from the TV to the corner where the huge chinese vase is. 

OMG! The hunt began. I hoped we could chase it outside. No luck. It was fast ... and we were not. It went under the sofas, back into the sunroom, back behind the TV. I am happy to say that James finally managed to put a paper cup upside-down over it. I could transfer it into a glass jar. It was really cute. We don't mind spiders or mice as long as they stay outside. So James decided to drive it down to the back gate while I held the jar and then put it into the woods there. We hope it is happy there. 

Yes, ha-ha, a birthday to remember. It was a very nice day. The only thing ... Helen and William missing. But of course they did FaceTime. William sang the birthday song and we were so surprised what a lovely voice he has. We had never heard it so nice.