Happychoo, Papa!

This past week, we celebrated Ron's birthday with a few nice and mellow events around the house and town. First off was the birthday breakfast. One of my traditions is to surprise him with a homemade breakfast bright and early before work on his big day. However, this year he has taken "bright and early" to a whole new level. Can anyone say 4:30 am? NOT me. As a result, we had his birthday breakfast of quiche and blueberry buckle the Sunday before his birthday. We even broke out a bottle of Martinellis for the affair! On his actual big day, Lia and I welcomed Ron home from work to dinner waiting for him in the dining room. Meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, and carrot cake from scratch were on the docket! We dined on our fine china and and sipped milk out of our crystal with Lia at our side in her not-so-fine, plastic high chair. The evening was a pretty classy affair. :-)

Dinner's served!

The scrumptious carrot cake from scratch complete with carrot curls and crushed walnuts. This was my first attempt at making what is known as Ron's favorite cake. I'm not one to brag about my baking, but this one was divine. Thank you, Megan, for the recipe!

This was the first time that Lia has heard the song, "Happy Birthday," since really becoming verbal. She was quite taken by it and started singing, "Happychoo Papa," over and over again. (She combined the "Happy" and the "to you" from the song to make "Happychoo"). It was soooo cute!

After cake, Ron opened his cards and gifts. His gift from Lia and me? Well, it's what this man needs more than anything this year besides a week basking on a remote island in the Caribbean....an hour massage at the spa down the street. Enjoy, papa!

Part #2 of Ron's birthday was our annual trip to the tiny, family-run, Japanese restaurant in P-town that it pretty close to the real thing (I know, who would have thunk it! In Puyallup of all places). A wee bit pricey, we visit Kanpai once a year in honor of Ron's big day and provide him with the opportunity to fill up on enough sushi to last til the next year. I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoy stuffing myself on all things Japanese that are cooked (and, yes, believe it or not, there are actually quite a few items on the menu that fall under this category). We had a very pleasant evening enjoying what we do best (eating) sans baby thanks to one of the loyal Laurels in my YW. After coming home from work on Friday with a pounding headache in both temples due battling lazy and disrespectful teenagers all day long, I am happy to say that Kanpai, with its lovely service and food, wiped it all away. I have decided that this restaurant has become my new extra strength Tylenol.

My absolute favorite thing about Kanpai: the sushi boat that all of Ron's raw goodies come on every year. Man, we've got to get ourselves one of those!

Happychoo, Papa! We love you!