Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Daddy! Friday was Brant's birthday and boy was Ellie excited. When we were growing up, my mom always hung birthday banners all over the house after we went to bed the night before our birthday. Well, it doesn't quite work that way in my house now, since I go to bed well before the birthday boy! So Friday morning while Brant was in the shower, Ellie helped me hang the birthday signs. And boy oh boy, what a great helper she was! She put all the tape on and was so proud of herself! We made Daddy sausage biscuits for his birthday breakfast, and chocolate cupcakes to take to work and share. After work we got ready to go to a birthday dinner, but first - presents! I don't know who was more excited about the soccer ball...Ellie or Brant!

There's a new burger joint that just opened up in our neighborhood, so we ventured up there for Brant's birthday dinner. Whoever came up with the idea for this place is a genius - it's perfect for our neighborhood. Everyone likes to walk everywhere they can, so it's centrally located. More than half of the restaurant is outside, with picnic benches so people sit family style. The outside has gravel all over the ground, and an old fashioned toy version of a trolley car for kids to play on while they wait for their food. Our neighborhood is booming with young families with kiddos, so this place is going to be a big hit. They serve delicious cheeseburgers, but next time I want to try their spicy blackbean burger. When we first moved to South Park, we heard rumors of a local burger place opening up...that was 5 years ago. We are so happy it's open and kid friendly!
Saturday night we got a sitter and Brant and I had a date night! This is only the 2nd time that we've ever had a sitter other than family or daycare...we really need to do it more often. One of the other daycare parents invited Brant and I to cruise around the bay on their boat and go to dinner in Coronado. We had a great time...can't wait to do it again!
Unfortunately the Hogs lost...we aren't going to discuss it...poor Brant was disappointed, but tried hard to rebound.
Sunday we went to church, and Ellie is now in the 3 and 4 year old classroom, instead of the 2 year old classroom. She loved it, always wants to go back to church tomorrow. Sunday afternoon was a family work party...football on the TV, cooking in the kitchen, yard being mowed, cars being washed, laundry being folded...with our little helper's hands in each task. I just hope she wants to help out this much when she gets older!

Dinner at Station Tavern

Daddy's special helper

happy with her cupcake!