Eldest Son turns 21!

A crazy thing happened yesterday. I blinked and my son turned 21.

Upon his request, we celebrated his birthday with "breakfast for supper". Apparently, he remembers with fondness the Saturdays we shared a big breakfast complete with exotic fruits and doughnuts as a special treat. Sniff.

On the table were plenty of blackberries, raspberries, mangos, star fruit and pomegranate seeds. Isn't the star fruit cute?

You have to work to get those little pomegranate gems, but it's worth it.

"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself". ~Joyce Maynard


We tried our best to "tune into" him with our modest gifts.

There were a few surprises and it was fun to watch his reaction.

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise”

Alden Nowlan quotes

Grandma Connie joined us as well as our friends...

... Michael & Barbara.

We were able to have a conversation with Grandpa & Grandma Houle in Saskatoon via skype. That was really neat!

Me, Ethan, & Alex watch Elliot open gifts. Ashley took most of the photos and Derrick started on the omelets, popping out every so often.

I suggested an egg bake or scrambled eggs, but Derrick insisted on individual omelets, made to order. So, I took orders. The choices were: diced ham, cheese, green pepper, onion, mushrooms, & tomatoes.

Derrick and I both had "everything omelets". I didn't have to write that down. :o) I kind of miss waitressing.


When you teach your son, you teach your son's son. ~The Talmud

First step to a perfect omelet: saute the filling. Or so I'm told.

Hashbrowns are crispy. Omelets & sausages are done. Let's eat!

Done eating and time for cake, er, the stack o' doughnuts posing as a cake.

I mean, doughnuts (as requested) and cake would have been sugar overload, no?

Being sung to and clapped for. He seemed pleased with the doughnut cake.

Next thing you know, this kid will turn 21. Aaack!

"In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck - and, of course, courage". ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood,


It's been a good ride and we are proud of this 21 year old.

Happy birthday Elliot Lyndon Houle!