Aidan's 11th birthday

It is hard to believe but Aidan celebrated his eleventh birthday yesterday. He keeps getting older and we keep getting...well, more and more proud of him.

This is how he looked when he arrived home from school:

One of the teachers uses bright lipstick to apply kisses on the faces of the birthday boys and girls. As you can see, Aidan liked it.

The opening of presents was eagerly anticipated. He received a check here:

 

And some cash there:

 

He also received some gift cards and a game for his Nintendo 3DS. His main gift was a tablet from James and me, although Aidan paid for half of it with money saved from Christmas, Valentine's Day and birthday gifts, plus some allowance money. We thought it was important that he contribute part of the cost so he would feel more responsibility, and he did a great job of saving for it.

As expected, he was very excited to receive the eagerly anticipated tablet:

He managed to put the tablet down long enough to have birthday cake, which I got from The Gingersnap Bakery. It was, of course, delicious, and it was crowded with all the candles:

Aidan has decided to have his birthday party in early May at an outdoor laser tag facility, so he gets to celebrate all over again in about six weeks!

Time to go already

“No guest should be admitted without the date of the departure settled.”
- Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey

Winter does have an official date of departure but it isn't abiding by it. Spring supposedly arrived three days ago, but like a tenant that refuses to leave a rental, winter is lounging on the sofa, watching television and littering the floor with junk food wrappers.

Last year was the winter that wasn't but this year is the winter that won't go away. It has not been a particularly harsh winter; according to goldensnowball.com, Syracuse has received 100.8 inches of snow, about sixteen inches below the average to date amount. That may sound like a lot of snow, particularly to my friends down south, but it doesn't feel like we have received that much since it has come in small amounts spread out over the entire season.

We have enjoyed the snow this year, sledding and snowshoeing several times. But now it is time for winter to get off the sofa and leave. I have shoveled out the driveway three times this week, which is more frequent that I have shoveled all winter. Ironically, the ground was completely clear of snow just two weeks ago and we enjoyed sitting on the patio with a cheerful fire in the chimnea. Winter is not only taking its time, but it wants to make a grand exit.

If only seasons started/ended exactly on time.