Happy Birthday, Michael Charles Kelley!

Tonight we celebrated Michael's 40th birthday with three friends named Mark, plus their families. It was great to see them all, since we VERY rarely get to actually sit and chat. The children (all 5 - one had to stay home) enjoyed the festivities and cake. Thomas was especially entertaining when dancing to the musical card. It sang "Bow Wow Wow, Yippee I Yippee Ay" which caused him to wiggle his behind, stomp and squat in perfect rhythm. Notice the open window in the picture. Forty candles may be a little too many to actually put on a cake. They created quite a bit of smoke! Come back later to click on the picture and see more fun...

It was uncertain this morning, but I think Michael IS going to move gracefully into his 40's. I'm proud of the man he is and blessed to be his wife.

Uncle Luke Did NOT Show Up :(

Today Amelia got in the van after preschool, and sadly said, "We did Balentines today, but Uncle Luke did not show up. He wasn't there at all." I had to hold back my giggle as I buckled her in and shut the door. Here's the backstory...

Last week, we were having lunch after preschool and she was telling us (Thomas, John, and me) how they were making valentine (with a "b" if you are 3) bags in her class. I was feeding John, giving her 1/2 my attention, and trying to maintain sanity during lunchtime. After she explained the preschool activity, we talked about how we saw Uncle Caleb on Skype the night before. I started to explain that he and "Uncle" Chelle were getting married in a couple weeks, and that we'd start calling her "Aunt" Michelle instead. :)

The conversation then went something like this:
Amelia: "Uncle Clalob"
Thomas: "Uncle Lewk"
Amelia: "Uncle Clalob"
Thomas: "Uncle Lewk"
etc., mostly in a really loud I-can-shout-louder-than-you set of voices.

Then, Amelia went back to the Valentine Party conversation, and finally ended up telling herself that Uncle Luke would be coming to the Valentine Party at her preschool class. I just smiled and laughed at the series of conversations, knowing that I'd need to explain to Luke that he needs to make an appearance on Feb. 11 around 10 am at her preschool in order to not disappoint his loving niece. Unfortunately, Uncle Luke lives a couple states away and will not be able to make it, I'm guessing. We're hoping to spend some time when he comes to town for Uncle Caleb's wedding in a couple weeks!

The rest of the story...I broke the news to Amelia finally. She was very sad, but she came up with an idea. She hopes to take Uncle Luke over to her preschool playground on the weekend when he visits!