You'll have to meet the new addition to our family...

Thank you all for Robert's birthday wishes and your lovely comments - I am definitely a proud mother. He told me this morning at breakfast that he had a nice birthday. He found a couple of surprises yesterday when he got home from school.

First, as per his request for his birthday dinner, I brought home his favorite Tamales from a place near our 2nd store in Brentwood, CA. It is called Tamale Lovers and they make homemade/hand rolled tamales. His favorite is the Pablano Tamale and the mild Chicken Tamale.

Second, was a total surprise for him. He has been talking about getting an aquarium and saving up his holiday money he received to get a starter kit. So, I decided to take a little trip to the fish store and this is what I brough home...

I thought it would be fun to get him a little Beta fish in the ol' glass fish bowl to start out with and then, when things settle down a little, he can go out and purchase whatever aquarium he wants. He definitely was surprised and excited.

So that is the new addition to our family...and his name is "FISH". That is the name the birthday boy came up with (go figure...).

I suppose we do call our dog, "POOCH" (although his real name is Bruno)...if we had a hamster, we probably would name him "HAMSTER"...and according to Matthew (younger son) if we had a pet donkey his name would be "JACK ASS".  Not much I can say about that comment :)

Anyway, when I got home from closing our store I had one more treat for him...

Phish food ice cream...seemed like the perfect birthday dessert ;) and fitting for the occasion.

Hope the week is going well for you...time to sign off and get my day going. Take care and remember,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

16 years ago....

It is hard to believe that 16 years ago I packed my bag and headed to the hospital. Just the day before, after an ultrasound, the doctor told me that I would be a mother of a baby that would be anywhere between 8 pounds and 12 pounds. January 11 at 7am in the morning I checked in and was given a shot, for it was time for you to enter the world.

After 15 or so hours of labor - at 11:36pm - you were born...all 9 pounds and 2 oz...all 21 inches. We called you Robert Samuel. Robert after your daddy's uncle and Samuel came from my grandfather's middle name.

You went every where with us, for you were such an easy baby...you would go into work with me and nap on the office floor on a little bed made of blankets...you would go to fancy restaurants with Daddy & I, sitting in your little car seat on the table.

But being outdoors, exploring the world...running around and playing outside...is something that you love to.

So much so, that you have taken that love and joined the varsity track team which you lettered in last year...your freshman year.

But your passion...is hockey. At the age of 3, you tied your first pair of hockey skates have haven't looked back.

You have traveled all over the US and around Canada playing the sport you love while balancing your education, keeping up your grades to high levels.

Robert...we are proud of you! You are a hard worker, always giving at least 110% or more. You have a large heart and care about others. You love life and it shows!

Happy 16th Birthday!

PS...Robert, thank you for tolerating the Birthday breakfast tradition of the birthday hat photo.