Monthly post: A birthday party

Yeah, it's been a month since my last post. I'm getting pretty lazy. But then I realize that, in the past month, there were things I could've been blogging about. Things that interested me and may interest you.

However, being lazy, I'm sure I forgot much more than I remember.

So, let's start recent.

Yesterday was the birthday party for my kids. We held it at Mt. Tom Reservation in Holyoke, MA at the Pavilion. Not a bad rental fee for a good sized location with parking, a big field, a playground, and nearby hiking trails (some very good for children). We had big plans.

Most of the plans held strong: grilling all the food on the big grill, playing on the playground, having a rocking time. Some fell flat, as we had two powerful thunderstorms make their way over the mountain.

Multiple nearby lightning strikes and torrential rain kinda put a damper on hiking and nature walks. A couple of the younger kids were quite upset at the commotion and admittedly quite loud thunder. Some of the loudest and most nearby I'd heard in awhile.

The weather intermission aside, we all had a very good time. Before and after, kids were out playing and having fun. MacKenzie found one of the deepest puddles and splashed in it until well past the point of being wet. Who could stop her, it's her birthday party!

We rounded off the day by watching Transformers: The Movie again, because Ian had gotten Optimus Prime and Megatron for presents, and it made me want to watch it again.

It was a good day.

Happy New Year!

It's been a pretty good year this year, though as a country we've encountered many problems and changes.

Personally, though, it really has been great. So much has changed in my family. Two new nephews have been born, my daughter has grown from a little baby into a walking, climbing, communicating girl, my boy has increased growth in leaps and bounds, and I still have a job that pays me moneys.

There are always problems in a year, and this one is no different. But, I think I've forgotten most all of them in wake of all the great times I've had with my family and my friends. Thank you all and have a great and Happy New Year!