Once Upon A Time...: Feasting and Celebrating

Matt always has something specific in mind for his birthday. It is almost either outlandish, involving a lot personal effort, or impossible to do. This one thing, whatever difficult thing it is, is all he ever wants. Previous years have involved repairing an antique watch for which no one sells parts, translating polish poetry written by his grandfather, transferring an audio tape interview with his great great grandmother to CD, locating a history of Poland written in English etc... you get the idea. This year was easier to find, but more personal work. He wanted a dinner composed of his favorite foods: steak, shrimp, muscles, and lobster (he had to settle for a tail instead of a live lobster but he survived).

Matt was thrilled with his feast and we both thought it was funny when Liam sat down with him and starting eating muscles. I've tried muscles before but they taste like chewy grit and I fail to see the appeal. Liam seemed to like them alright. I also gave Matt a paperback copy of Enchanted April and A New Leaf on DVD (a difficult to find 1970's comedy that he likes).

Miles and Ian didn't much care for seafood and steak, but they were pretty big fans of the ice cream cake that we had for dessert.

Matt said all growing up he always had ice cream cakes for his birthdays and its a tradition he enjoys carrying on for his birthday.

August is a fairly busy month for us as it includes not only Matt's birthday but our anniversary and Liam's birthday. For our eleven year anniversary we went to the Dead Fish Grill. The food is acceptable though not stellar, but it sits on the edge of lake Belton and the view was wonderful.

The kids couldn't get enough of the large windows that we were seated next too. All through dinner we had to acknowledge every single boat that came by even if it was the same boat making circles.